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Cited by 25Mental Health via WritingPsychological Well-being and Life SatisfactionAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Predicting emotional health indicators from linguistic evidence of psychological distancing

Shahane, Anoushka D., Denny, Bryan T.·2019·Stress and Health
DOI 10.1002/smi.2855
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Abstract

Psychological distancing, a form of cognitive reappraisal, involves construal of emotionally valenced stimuli in an objective manner, or with perceived spatial and temporal distance. Prior work suggests that in appropriate contexts, reappraisal broadly, and distancing specifically, is related to adaptive mental and physical health outcomes. Additionally, recent research suggests that shifting language to be more distant (i.e., linguistic distancing [LD]) can have adaptive emotion regulatory effects. The present study addressed whether LD is also associated with adaptive health indicators. Participants transcribed their thoughts while viewing negative or neutral stimuli in one of three ways: (a) by implementing objective language, (b) by implementing spatially and/or temporally far away language, or (c) by responding naturally. Across psychological distancing groups, LD was associated with lower negative affectivity (lower perceived stress and depression symptoms), better general well‐being (better emotional well‐being and energy and vitality), and better emotion regulation (ER; greater reappraisal frequency and fewer difficulties in implementing ER). Participants who used more LD in the objective group had lower negative affectivity, better general well‐being, and better ER, and those in the far group had better ER. The results reveal linguistic mechanisms underlying ER and its relationship to health indicators, suggesting future examination of LD interventions.

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  • Laboratory-based experimental studies with children and adolescents indicate that adopting a decentered perspective dampens emotional reactivity towards aversive stimuli, as shown by decreased negative affect, reduced believability of inner events, lower aggressive behaviors, and shorter emotional episodes.

    “First, laboratory-based experimental studies with children and adolescents indicate that adopting a decentered perspective (e.g. instructions to adopt a third-person perspective or re-perceive events ‘as if watching themselves in a movie’) dampens emotional reactivity towards aversive stimuli.”

    From Decentering as a core component in the psychological treatment and prevention of youth anxiety and depression: a narrative review and insight report (2021) · cites this paper as [56]

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Authors
Shahane, A. D., & Denny, B. T.
Affiliations
Rice University (US)
Corresponding author
Shahane, Anoushka D.
ORCID
Venue
Stress and Health
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2019-01-30
Volume
35
Issue
2
Pages
200-210
ISSN
  • 1532-2998 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-3005
DOI
10.1002/smi.2855
OpenAlex
W2909147275
Cited by
25
References
60
Citations by year
2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1
FWCI
3.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Stress and Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Rice Research Repository (Rice University) (acceptedVersion)
Funders
Rice University Faculty Initiatives Fund Grant
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health via Writing
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
psychological distancing, cognitive reappraisal, emotion regulation, negative affectivity, perceived stress, depression, well-being, emotional well-being, vitality, language use
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Affect, Arousal, Defense Mechanisms, Female, Humans, Linguistics, Male, Social Adjustment, Psychological Distance, Thinking, Young Adult, Emotional Intelligence

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