Worrying about the future: An episodic specificity induction impacts problem solving, reappraisal, and well-being.

ABSTRACT: Previous research has demonstrated that an episodic specificity induction--brief training in recollecting details of a recent experience--enhances performance on various subsequent tasks thought to draw upon episodic memory processes. Existing work has also shown that mental simulation can be beneficial for emotion regulation and coping with stressors. Here we focus on understanding how episodic detail can affect problem solving, reappraisal, and psychological well-being regarding worrisome future events. In Experiment 1, an episodic specificity induction significantly improved participants' performance on a subsequent means-end problem solving task (i.e., more relevant steps) and an episodic reappraisal task (i.e., more episodic details) involving personally worrisome future events compar

SUBMITTER: Jing HG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4792686 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature