Focusing on the self in context as an emotion regulatory strategy: an evaluation of the “self-as-context” component of ACT compared to cognitive reappraisal in managing stress
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Self-as-Context (SAC) is one of the six core components of the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy model (ACT). OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to investigate whether SAC is effective in reducing negative affect and maintaining positive affect in response to a personally relevant stressor relative to cognitive reappraisal (CR) and spontaneous coping strategies. METHOD: = 105) completed baseline measures and were asked to discuss a recent personally relevant stressor which was audiotaped, before being randomized to one of three conditions. Participants randomized to the SAC and CR conditions received 5-minutes of training, whilst participants allocated to the control condition were asked to read a brochure for 5-minutes. All participants then listened to their recorded stressful experience before completed follow-up measures. RESULTS: The SAC group reported significantly less negative affect than participants in the control group post-training induction; although the CR group did not differ from the SAC or control participants in reductions in negative affect post-induction. There were no significant group differences for positive affect. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide preliminary evidence that SAC is an effective emotion regulatory strategy in reducing acute distress in a stress-exposed young adult sample.
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An experimental study found that self-as-context may be effective at reducing negative affect in a sample of undergraduate students.
“An experimental study from the same researchers discovered that self-as-context may be effective at reducing negative affect in a sample of undergraduate students (Godbee & Kangas, Citation2022).”
From Proposed Self-as-Context Interventions for Gender Minority Clients (2025) · cites this paper as Godbee & Kangas, 2022
Previous research often associates Self-as-Context with lower levels of psychological distress.
“Contrary to previous research, which often associates Self-as-Context with lower levels of psychological distress, 59,60”
From Differential associations of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy processes with psychological distress across racial groups. (2026) · cites this paper as [60]
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- Authors
- Godbee, M., & Kangas, M.
- Affiliations
- Macquarie University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Kangas, Maria
- Venue
- Anxiety, Stress, & Coping
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2021-10-04
- Volume
- 35
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 557-573
- ISSN
- 1061-5806 (ISSN-L)
- 1477-2205
- OpenAlex
- W3204506455
- Cited by
- 10
- References
- 54
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2022: 1
- FWCI
- 0.51
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Anxiety Stress & Coping (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Macquarie University
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Keywords
- self-as-context, acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive reappraisal, emotion regulation, stress, negative affect, positive affect, coping strategies, young adults
- MeSH terms
- Emotional Regulation, Adaptation, Psychological, Cognition, Emotions, Humans, Young Adult, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
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