Rest a while and run a mile: Relationship between distraction and negative emotions among college students in China

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 15; no. 9; p. e0236030
• Main Authors: Chen, Shi-Min, Fang, Jie, Wang, Li-Ming, Liu, Cai-Li
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: San Francisco Public Library of Science 11-09-2020; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Anxiety; Biology and Life Sciences; Cognitive ability; College students; Coping; Divorce; Educational aspects; Emotions; Families & family life; Health aspects; Hostility; Mediation; Medicine and Health Sciences; Mental depression; Mental health; Multitasking (Human behavior); Multivariate statistical analysis; Problem solving; Psychological aspects; Questionnaires; Research and Analysis Methods; Research methodology; Sexual behavior; Social Sciences; Stress; Students; Victimization; Violence; China
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236030

Previous experimental studies have regarded distraction, an emotional regulation strategy, as an attentional disengagement strategy and considered it to be maladaptive in the long term. This study intends to further examine the relationship between distraction and negative emotions by using a questionnaire and a multiple mediation model. A total of 723 college students completed the distraction, cognitive reappraisal and problem-solving subscales of the Measurement of Affect Regulation Styles, the Needs Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Meaningful Life Measure, and the Emotional Experience Questionnaire of Well-being. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed, and mediation effects were tested. The results showed that (1) distraction was used significantly more frequently than problem-solving and cognitive reappraisal, with a large effect size (partial [eta].sup.2 = 0.321 > 0.138), and (2) distraction had an effect on negative emotions through two multiple mediation paths, i.e., positive emotion-cognitive reappraisal-meaning in life, and positive emotion-problem-solving-needs satisfaction. Distraction reduces negative emotions by enhancing positive emotions and facilitating cognitive reappraisal, problem-solving, meaning in life and needs satisfaction. It is not a kind of avoidance but a temporary rest to strive for a better life.