Engaging in an experiential processing mode increases positive emotional response during recall of pleasant autobiographical memories.

ABSTRACT: It is important to identify effective emotion regulation strategies to increase positive emotion experience in the general population and in clinical conditions characterized by anhedonia. There are indications that engaging in experiential processing (direct awareness of sensory and bodily experience) bolsters positive emotion experience but this has not been extensively tested during memory recall. To further test this notion, 99 community participants recalled two positive autobiographical memories. Prior to the second recall, participants either underwent an experiential, analytical, or distraction induction (n = 33 per condition). Subjective happiness and sadness ratings and heart rate variability (HRV) response were measured during each recall. Greater spontaneous use of experiential

SUBMITTER: Gadeikis D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5390771 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature