Emotion regulation and peer-rated social functioning: A 4-year longitudinal study

Different emotion regulation strategies have been linked to distinct social outcomes, but only concurrently or in the short-term. The present research employed a 4-year longitudinal design with peer-reported measures of social functioning to examine the long-term social effects of emotion regulation. Individual differences in suppression before entering college predicted weaker social connections (e.g., less close relationships) at the end of college, whereas reappraisal predicted stronger social connections and more favorable sociometric standing (e.g., higher social status). These effects of emotion regulation remained intact even when controlling for baseline social functioning and Big Five personality traits. These findings suggest that individual differences in the use of particular emotion regulation strategies have an enduring impact, shaping the individual’s social environment over time.

► We used a 4-year longitudinal design to examine social effects of emotion regulation. ► Habitual regulation strategies predict distinct long-term peer-rated social outcomes. ► Suppression predicts weaker future social connections (but not sociometric standing). ► Reappraisal predicts stronger social connections and higher sociometric standing. ► Individual differences in emotion regulation have lasting effects on relationships.