The role of cognitive effort in emotion regulation

Emotion regulation (ER) is a dynamic, multi-stage process encompassing the identification, selection, implementation, and monitoring of ER strategies. Empirical studies on ER have increasingly focused on understanding the role of cognitive effort throughout ER processes. Cognitive effort is an essential component of various ER stages: from the identification of the need to regulate emotions, through the selection of ER strategies their implementation, to the monitoring of the regulatory behaviour. The review highlights substantial inter-individual variability in effort expenditure across eR stages and explores the impact of cognitive costs on regulatory outcomes. Findings suggest that high effort demands can increase the likelihood of regulatory failure, perpetuating negative emotional states and impairing well-being. Conversely, automatic ER processes, while less effortful, may limit adaptability to novel emotional challenges. Understanding the intertwined interplay between cognitive effort and ER is important for elucidating crucial components during ER processing and their implications for individual well-being.