Emotion Regulation Strategies and Psychological Well-being among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The prevalence of psychological distress among nursing students has become a critical concern globally, with emotion regulation emerging as a protective factor for maintaining psychological well-being in high-stress clinical environments. This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between emotion regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) and psychological well-being among nursing students in India. A sample of 47 nursing students completed the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ; Gross & John, 2003) and the Psychological Well-Being Scale (PWBS; Ryff & Keyes, 1995). Contrary to theoretical predictions, Pearson correlation analysis revealed no significant relationship between overall emotion regulation and psychological well-being (r = .050, p > .05). However, cognitive reappraisal demonstrated a significant positive correlation with positive relations with others (r = .337, p < .01), suggesting dimension-specific relationships. Independent samples t-tests indicated no significant differences in emotion regulation or psychological well-being across accommodation mode or residence type. These findings suggest that the relationship between emotion regulation and psychological well-being may be more nuanced than previously documented in Western populations, potentially reflecting cultural, contextual, and sample-specific factors. Implications for nursing education curricula, emotion regulation training development, and future research directions are discussed.