Investigation of The Relationships Between Reinforcement Sensitivity and Positive and Negative Emotion Dysregulation

Background and Aim: The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between reward sensitivity and punishment sensitivity and positive emotion regulation strategies and negative emotion regulation strategies among students. Materials and methods: 189 students studying at one of Tehran Universities were selected by accessible random sampling method, and then Emotion Regulation Scale, Attention Control Scale, Experiences Questionnaire, Emotional Regulation Questionnaire, Positive Emotion Response Questionnaire, and Punishment Sensitivity Questionnaire and Reward sensitivity were distributed among them to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS-26 software using Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis. Results: Pearson correlation coefficient showed a significant relationship between punishment and reward sensitivity and positive and negative emotion regulation strategies. Multiple regression analysis showed that sensitivity to reward and punishment could well predict positive emotion regulation strategies. Multiple regression analysis results indicated that sensitivity to reward and punishment could also predict negative emotion regulation strategies. Conclusion: sensitivity to Punishment and sensitivity to reward were significant and common factors in emotion regulation. These results show that activation as a technique plays a significant role in the behavior that enhances the individual's search for reward. And suggesting that this approach can increase reward-seeking and thus improve emotional regulation.