Comparing the Effects of Reconstrual and Repurposing Reappraisal Strategies on Sadness and Anxiety in Emerging Adults: A Brief Intervention
Comparing the Effects of Reconstrual and Repurposing Reappraisal Strategies on Sadness and Anxiety in Emerging Adults: A Brief Intervention
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn which reappraisal strategy works better to reduce sadness and anxiety in emerging adults. The main questions it aims to answer are:
What is the effect of emotion regulation strategies (reconstrual, repurposing) on short term negative emotions (anxiety, sadness)?
Does the effectiveness of these strategies vary depending on the type of emotion (anxiety vs. sadness)?
Are reconstrual and repurposing more effective compared to active and passive control conditions?
What is the effect of these strategies on short-term positive emotions (e.g., hope, happiness)?
Researchers will compare reconstrual and repurposing strategies to see which one is more effective in improving emotional outcomes.
Participants will:
be randomly assigned to one of eight conditions in a 4 (Regulation Strategy: Reconstrual, Repurposing, Active Control, Passive Control) × 2 (Emotion Type: Sadness vs. Anxiety) factorial design.
Complete online tasks and surveys about their emotions
This study evaluates the effectiveness of two cognitive reappraisal strategies-reconstrual (reinterpreting the meaning of an event) and repurposing (modifying the personal goal related to the event)-in reducing negative affect and enhancing positive affect in response to emotion-evoking scenarios in emerging adults.
Participants (at least N = 240) will be randomly assigned to one of eight groups in a 2 (Emotion: Sadness vs. Anxiety) × 4 (Strategy: Reconstrual, Repurposing, Active Control, Passive Control) between-subjects factorial design. Each participant will complete standardized emotional induction tasks via written scenarios, followed by their assigned intervention.
Hypotheses
H1: Negative emotions (sadness or anxiety) will significantly decrease following the intervention in the reconstrual and repurposing groups compared to the active and passive control groups. (Main effect of strategy on negative affect)
H2: Positive emotions will increase more in the reconstrual and repurposing groups compared to the passive control group. (Main effect of strategy on positive affect)
H3 (Exploratory): The effectiveness of reconstrual and repurposing strategies may vary by emotion type:
Repurposing may be more effective in sadness scenarios.
Reconstrual may be more effective in anxiety scenarios. (Emotion Type × Strategy interaction)
H4: No significant emotional change is expected in the passive control group. (No time effect)
Study Design
Design Type: Experimental, between-subjects factorial design Design Structure: 2 (Emotion Type: Sadness vs. Anxiety) × 4 (Strategy Condition: Reconstrual, Repurposing, Active Control, Passive Control) Participants: Minimum N = 240 (n = 30 per group), emerging adults (ages ~18-30) Randomization: Random assignment to 1 of 8 groups Blinding: Participants are blind to condition purpose Type of Analysis: Mixed ANOVA
Within-Subject Factor: Time (Post-Scenario vs. Post-Intervention) Between-Subject Factors: Emotion Type × Strategy Group Dependent Variables: Emotional ratings post-intervention (Negative affect (VAS/SAM: anxiety, sadness); Positive affect (VAS/SAM).
Study Flow
Initial Assessment Demographics: Only name and age Baseline measures: Scale for contextual reappraisal (SCORE; for trait-level reconstrual and repurposing), GAD-7, PHQ-9
Neutral Stimulus A standardized neutral video from Samson et al. (2016) study.
Baseline Emotion Assesments: Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
Random Group Assignment
Participants randomly assigned to one of eight groups (n=30 per group):
Sadness - Reconstrual
Sadness - Repurposing
Sadness - Active Control
Sadness - Passive Control
Anxiety - Reconstrual
Anxiety - Repurposing
Anxiety - Active Control
Anxiety - Passive Control
Training Phase Strategy-specific training with a minimum 90-second reading time enforced
Practice vignette with 30-second enforced reading and comprehension check
Correct answers allow progression; incorrect answers trigger explanation and acknowledgment before continuing
Participants rate prior use of the trained strategy in daily life
Scenario Exposure Participants read and imagine a standardized written scenario (sadness or anxiety) matched for intensity and controllability (based on pilot data)
40-second enforced reading time
7. Self-Assessment and Rating VAS and SAM administered
Ratings of scenario imaginability and controllability (0-100 scale)
Participants write their first negative thoughts when imagining the scenario
8. Application Phase Participants apply assigned emotion regulation strategy with 90-second minimum enforced duration
Written brief explanation of alternative thoughts used
Post-application ratings with VAS and SAM
Participants rate effectiveness and belief in their reappraisal thoughts (0-100 scale)
9. Manipulation Check In the form of two multiple-choice questions: Participants will be asked to select the instruction that best matched the guideline they received at the beginning of the experiment and to identify the general topic of the scenario they had visualized.
10. Demographics: Exclusion criteria related questions 11. Debriefing Participants view debriefing statement
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: