Solitude as an approach to affective self-regulation
Journal article
Nguyen, Thuy-vy T., Ryan, Richard M. and Deci, Edward L.. (2018). Solitude as an approach to affective self-regulation. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 44(1), pp. 92-106. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167217733073
Authors | Nguyen, Thuy-vy T., Ryan, Richard M. and Deci, Edward L. |
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Abstract | In this research, we showed that solitude generally has a deactivation effect on people’s affective experiences, decreasing both positive and negative high-arousal affects. In Study 1, we found that the deactivation effect occurred when people were alone, but not when they were with another person. Study 2 showed that this deactivation effect did not depend on whether or not the person was engaged in an activity such as reading when alone. In Study 3, high-arousal positive affect did not drop in a solitude condition in which participants specifically engaged in positive thinking or when they actively chose what to think about. Finally, in Study 4, we found that solitude could lead to relaxation and reduced stress when individuals actively chose to be alone. This research thus shed light on solitude effects in the past literature, and on people’s experiences when alone and the different factors that moderate these effects. |
Keywords | solitude; affect; self-regulation; motivation; choice |
Year | 2018 |
Journal | Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin |
Journal citation | 44 (1), pp. 92-106 |
Publisher | SAGE Publications |
ISSN | 0146-1672 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167217733073 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85037635601 |
Open access | Published as green open access |
Page range | 92-106 |
Research Group | Institute for Positive Psychology and Education |
Author's accepted manuscript | License All rights reserved File Access Level Open |
Publisher's version | License All rights reserved File Access Level Controlled |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 26 Oct 2017 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 28 Aug 2017 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/88yz6/solitude-as-an-approach-to-affective-self-regulation
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Author's accepted manuscript
AM_Nguyen_2018_Solitude_as_an_approach_to_affective.pdf | |
License: All rights reserved | |
File access level: Open |
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