The Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Training on Emotional Adjustment and Test Anxiety among Female Dormitory Resident Students with Cultural Emphasis

Maryam Raeis Shahraki ¹ ( M.A. Student, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Islamic Education, Isf.C, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran )
Mohammad Shakarami ² ( Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Islamic Education, Isf.C, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran )

Submited date : 2025-04-11 Accepted date : 2025-06-01

Keywords: Emotion regulation, Emotional adjustment, Test anxiety,

Abstract :

  The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of emotion regulation training using Gross’s approach on emotional adjustment and test anxiety among female dormitory resident students with cultural emphasis. The statistical population included all female students aged 20 to 30 residing in dormitories at the Islamic Azad University of Isfahan during the 2023-2024 academic year. 40 participants who met the inclusion criteria were selected using convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (20 participants each). The research was designed as quasi-experimental study employed pre-test and post-test with a control group. Both groups were assessed using the Rabio et al. (2007) Emotional Adjustment Questionnaire and the Friedman & Jacob (1997) Test Anxiety Questionnaire in two stages: pre-test and post-test. The experimental group received emotion regulation training in eight 90-minute sessions, while no intervention was conducted for the control group. Data analysis using multivariate analysis of covariance revealed that emotion regulation training caused a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the both research variables. Based on these findings, emotion regulation training using Gross’s approach could be applied to improve emotional adjustment and reduce test anxiety among female dormitory resident students. Also, cultural transfer, socialization, skill enhancement, and personal growth are among the things that female dormitory resident students could gain through their interactions.

References:

Abbaspour, S., Abbasi Esfajir, A. A., & Rahmani Firouzjah, A. (2022). An analysis of lifestyle in student dormitories: a case study (students living in dormitories at Khajeh Nasir al-Din Tusi University of Technology). Islamic Lifestyle with a Health Focus, 6(2), 111-122. [Persian] URL:https://www.sid.ir/paper/992493/fa
Abdollahzadeh, M., Panahpour, H., Ghaheri, S., & Saadati, H. (2022). Calcitriol supplementation attenuates cisplatin-induced behavioral and cognitive impairments through up-regulation of BDNF in male rats. Brain Research Bulletin, 181, 21-29.‏ URL:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0361923022000107
Anglim, J., Dunlop, P. D., Wee, S., Horwood, S., Wood, J. K., & Marty, A. (2022). Personality and intelligence: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 148(5-6), 301.‏ URL:https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2023-15405-001?trk=public_post_comment-text
Asgari, M. & Matini, A. (2020). The Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Training Based on Gross Model in Reducing Impulsivity in smokers. Counseling Culture and Psycotherapy, 11(42), 205-230. [Persian] URL:https://doi.org/10.22054/qccpc.2020.45707.2197
Ayuningtyas, F., Hartati, S., & Sumadi, T. (2019). The impact of academic press and student-teacher relationship on children's emotional adjustment. Jurnal Obsesi: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 3(1), 91-101. URL:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333009462_The_Impact_of_Academic_Press_and_Student_Teacher_Relationship_on_Childrens_Emotional_Adjustment
Azadmand, N. (2024). The relationship between psychological capital and mindfulness skills with exam anxiety in psychology students. Scientific Journal of Research Studies in Future Psychology, 1(1), 33-44. [persian] URL:https://journalhi.com/index.php/psy/article/view/9
Baezat, F., Sadeghi, MS., Izadifard, R., & Robenzadeh, Sh. (2012). Validation and standardization of persian version of Friedben Test Anxiety Scale (FTA). Quarterly Journal of Psychological Studies, 8(1), 51-66. URL:https://doi.org/10.22051/psy.2012.1528
Berking, M., Eichler, E., Luhmann, M., Diedrich, A., Hiller, W., & Rief, W. (2019). Affect regulation training reduces symptom severity in depression: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS ONE, 14(8), 1-25. URL:https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0220436
Bluth, K., & Eisenlohr-Moul, T. A. (2017). Response to a mindful self-compassion intervention in teens: A within-person association of mindfulness, self-compassion, and emotional well-being outcomes. Journal of Adolescence, 57, 108-118. URL:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140197117300490
Cerolini, S., Zagaria, A., Vacca, M., Spinhoven, P., Violani, C., & Lombardo, C. (2022). Cognitive emotion Regulation Questionnaire—Short: reliability, validity, and Measurement Invariance of the Italian version. Behavioral Sciences, 12(12), 1-16.‏ URL:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36546957/
Christ, C., Schouten, M. J., Blankers, M., van Schaik, D. J., Beekman, A. T., Wisman, M. A., & Dekker, J. J. M. (2020). Internet and computer-based cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and depression in adolescents and young adults: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(9), e17831. URL:https://www.jmir.org/2020/9/e17831/
Denny, B. T. (2020). Getting better over time: A framework for examining the impact of emotion regulation training. Emotion, 20(1), 110–114. URL:https://psycnet.apa.org/buy/2020-03346-019
Desatnik, A., Bel-Bahar, T., Nolte, T., Crowley, M., Fonagy, P., & Fearon, P. (2017). Emotion regulation in adolescents: An ERP study. Biological Psychology, 129, 52-61. URL:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301051117301448
Eisenberg, N., Spinrad, T. L., & Eggum, N. D. (2010). Emotion regulation and its relations to children's maladjustment. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 6, 595-620. URL:https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.121208.131208
Ford, B. Q., & Gross, J. J. (2020). Emotion regulation: Why beliefs matter. Psychological Inquiry, 31(2), 151-165. URL:https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-04034-001
Frenzel, A. C., Daniels, L., & Burić, I. (2021). Teacher emotions in the classroom and their implications for students. Educational Psychologist, 56(4), 250-264.‏ URL:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00461520.2021.1985501
Friedman, I. A., & Bendas-Jacob, O. (1997). Measuring Perceived Test Anxiety in Adolescents: A Self-Report Scale. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 57(6), 1035-1046. URL:https://doi.org/10.1177/0013164497057006012
Gross, J. J. (2007). Emotion regulation: Conceptual foundations. In J. J. Gross (Ed.), Handbook of emotion regulation (pp. 3-24). New York: Guilford Press. URL:https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2007-01392-001
Gross, J. J. (2015). Emotion regulation: Current status and future prospects. Psychological Inquiry, 26(1), 1-26. URL:https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2015-10978-001
Halamová, J., Kanovský, M., Varšová, K., & Kupeli, N. (2021). Randomised controlled trial of the new short-term online emotion-focused training for self-compassion and self-protection in a nonclinical sample. Current Psychology, 40(1), 333–343. URL:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-018-9933-4
Hassanabadi, A., Khamsan, A., & Talebzadeh Shushtari, L. (2021). The Effectiveness of Gross Emotional Regulation Training Package on Procrastination of Female Students of University of Birjand. The Journal of New Thoughts on Education, 17(3), 107-123 [persian]. URL:https://www.sid.ir/paper/410005/fa
Henneberger, A. K., Mushonga, D. R., & Preston, A. M. (2020). Peer influence and adolescent substance use: A systematic review of dynamic social network research. Adolescent Research Review, 6, 57–73. URL:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40894-019-00130-0
Houck, C., Duval, A., & Connor-Smith, J. K. (2020). Development and Feasibility of an Online Brief Emotion Regulation Training (BERT) Program for Emerging Adults. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 12-34. URL:https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.858370/full
Lestari, D. D., & Yudiarso, A. (2022). Studi meta analisis: Pelatihan regulasi emosi untuk menurunkan tingkat kecemasan. Journal of Psikologi Udayana, 9(1), 40-29. URL:https://repository.ubaya.ac.id/46809/
Liu, Y., Pan, H., Yang, R., Wang, X., Rao, J., Zhang, X., & Pan, C. (2021). The relationship between test anxiety and emotion regulation: the mediating effect of psychological resilience. Annals of General Psychiatry, 20(1), 1-9. URL:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12991-021-00360-4
Marques, R., Monteiro, F., Canavarro, M. C., & Fonseca, A. (2018). The role of emotion regulation difficulties in the relationship between attachment representations and depressive and anxiety symptoms in the postpartum period. Journal of affective disorders, 238, 39-46. URL:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032718306554
McRae, K., & Gross, J. J. (2021). Emotion regulation: A key concept in mental health. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 77(7), 1679-1694. URL:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31961170/
Mehraban, R., Hosseini Nasab, S. D., & Alivandi Vafa, M. (2023). Effect of emotion regulation training on aggression, rumination, and self-control in female junior high school students with low academic performance. International Journal of School Health, 10(1), 12-18.‏ URL:https://intjsh.sums.ac.ir/article_49011.html
Moltrecht, B., Deighton, J., & Patalay, P. (2021). Developing and testing a brief online emotion regulation training program for adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 86, 118-130. URL:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32108914/
Neff, K. D., & Germer, C. K. (2021). Mindfulness and self-compassion: core skills for managing stress and improving emotional well-being. Current Opinion in Psychology, 37, 100-105. URL:https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-psych-032420-031047
Osmann, J., Dvorkin, J., Inbar, Y., Page-Gould, E., & Feinstein, A. (2020). The emotional well-being of journalists exposed to traumatic events: A mapping review. Media, War & Conflict. 14(4), 476-502. URL:https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1750635219895998
Panadero, E., & Järvelä, S. (2021). Socially shared regulation of learning: A review. Educational Psychologist, 56(2), 139-160. URL:https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/abs/10.1027/1016-9040/a000226?journalCode=epp
Pınar, I. V., Gülşah, K., & Demet I. (2019). Emotional freedom techniques (EFT) to reduce exam anxiety in Turkish nursing students. European Journal of Integrative Medicine, 32, 1-12. URL:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1876382019302501
Qin, G. Y., Han, S. S., Zhang, Y. S., Ye, Y. P., & Xu, C. Y. (2024). Effect of physical exercise on negative emotions in Chinese university students: The mediating effect of self-efficacy. Heliyon, 10(17), 1-9.‏ URL:https://www.cell.com/heliyon/fulltext/S2405-8440(24)13225-2
Raeis Shahraki, M., & Shakarami, M. (2025). The effectiveness of emotion regulation training using the Gross method on distress tolerance and emotional alexithymia in female dormitory students. Quarterly Journal of Applied Psychology, 19(1), 200-220. [Persian] URL:https://apsy.sbu.ac.ir/article_105569.html
Rahmani, M. (2024). The effectiveness of information seeking skills training on reducing students' test anxiety. A New Approach to Children's Education, 6(2), 185-190. [Persian] URL:https://journal.iocv.ir/article_198921.html
Restubog, S. L. D., Ocampo, A. C. G., & Wang, L. (2020). Taking control amidst the chaos: Emotion regulation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 119, 1-6. URL:https://www.cell.com/heliyon/fulltext/S2405-8440(24)13225-2
Rubin-Falcone, H., Weber, J., Kishon, R., Ochsner, L., Delaparte, L., Dore, B., Zanderigo, F., Oquendo, M. A., Mann, J. J., & Miller, J. M. (2018). Longitudinal effect of cognitive behavioral therapy for depression on the neural correlates of emotion regulation. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 271(4), 82-90. URL:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0925492717302688
Rubio, V. J., Aguado, D., Hontangas, P. M., & Hernández, J. (2007). Psychometric properties of an emotional adjustment measure: An application of the graded response model. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 23(1), 39–46. URL:https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/abs/10.1027/1015-5759.23.1.39
Shangguan, C., Wang, Y., Wang, X., Zhang, L., & Zhou, B. (2024). The more anxious, the less flexible? Association of trait anxiety with expressive flexibility and the mediating role of emotion regulation strategies. Current Psychology, 43(32), 26121-26133.‏ URL:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-024-06291-z
Shokri, O., Sanaeipour, M., Royayi, Z., & Gharetapeh, E. (2016). Psychometric properties of the Emotional Adjustment Scale in Iranian students. Quarterly Journal of Educational Measurement, 6(23), 77-97. [Persian] URL:https://doi.org/10.22054/jem.2016.5737
Stephanou, G., & Oikonomou, A. (2018). Teacher emotions in primary and secondary education: Effects of self-efficacy and collective-efficacy, and problem-solving appraisal as a moderating mechanism. Psychology, 9(04), 820-857.‏ URL:https://www.scirp.org/html/23-6902414_84334.htm
Taghipour, A., & Razi, S. (2020). The effectiveness of emotion regulatory training on test anxiety and processing efficiency of high school girl students. International Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, 6(2), 17-22. URL:https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/ad54/c41544e4567b32a398e5579ffb6512305fea.pdf
Thomas, C., Cassady, J., & Finch, W. (2018). Identifying severity standards on the cognitive test anxiety scale: Cut score determination using latent class and cluster analysis. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 36(5), 492-508. URL:https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0734282916686004
Ursu, A., & Măirean, C. (2022). Cognitive emotion regulation strategies as mediators between resilience and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(19), 1-12. URL:https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/19/12631
Vatan Dost, M., Bagharian, F., Shokri, O., & Watan Dost, M. (2022). The mediating role of resilience and health behaviors in the relationship between emotional intelligence and social adjustment. Quarterly Journal of Applied Psychological Research, 14(4), 239-262. [Persian] URL:https://japr.ut.ac.ir/article_95630_en.html?lang=fa
Whitaker, L., Smith, F. L., Brasier, C., Petrakis, M., & Brophy, L. (2021). Engaging with transformative paradigms in mental health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(18), 1-11.‏ URL:https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/18/9504
Zafari, Z., Ahghar, G., & Sahebalzamani, M. (2024). The effectiveness of education based on problem solving approach on exam anxiety of medical students of Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch. Medical Science Journal of Islamic Azad Univesity-Tehran Medical Branch, 34(3), 336-343. [Persian] URL:https://tmuj.iautmu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_id=2203&sid=1&slc_lang=en&ftxt=1