Examining the Consequences in the Tendency to Suppress and Reappraise Emotions on Task-Related Job Performance

Abstract

This research tested the effects of individual differences in emotion regulation tendencies on task-related job performance and the mediating role of task focus. Emotion regulation has been divided into two broad classes, suppression and reappraisal, which may differentially relate to performance. By following self-regulation theories, it is believed that suppression requires more resources and will negatively relate to task performance via less task focus. Reappraisal requires fewer resources and should positively relate to performance via greater task focus. Results generally supported our expected relationships across both lab and field studies, and we discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our findings.