From theory and research to clinical practice: recent trends in interpersonal emotion regulation

Abstract

Interpersonal emotion regulation (IER) is a term that covers all the interpersonal associations people engage in to modify the emotional state of either self or others. Although the importance of utilizing others in the ER process is not new, comprehensive IER models have not been introduced until recently. The models focus on different aspects of IER with some focusing on the attempts at increasing positive or negative emotions experienced by others, while others focus on the IER strategies, leading to the development of differing ideas on the functions and consequences of IER processes, especially regarding their implications in mental health. Many therapeutic approaches involve the therapist's regulation of the client's emotions using different methods, which indicates that IER processes are also involved in the treatment of mental health problems. The chapter aims to clarify the role of IER in mental health, with a focus on the specific topics that require further research, in addition to the examination of the therapeutic work from an IER perspective.