Emotion regulation strategies and difficulties in older adults: A systematic review

Objectives: The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the types of emotion regulation (ER) strategies used and difficulties in emotion regulation experienced by older adults, within the theoretical frameworks proposed by Gross, and by Gratz and Roemer, respectively. Methods: A systematic search was conducted using principal electronic scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science). The systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses guidelines. Results: The final number of articles included was 44. Older adults reported a higher use of adaptive ER strategies, as well as fewer difficulties in ER, compared with younger adults. Findings from this review also suggest that the use of maladaptive ER strategies can also expose older adults to psychological distress, and may affect their adaptation to negative disease-related outcomes more common in later life. Conclusions: Older adults generally showed a greater emotional control compared with younger subjects. Adaptive control strategies, rather than maladaptive control strategies, were correlated with more positive outcomes for psychological distress and adaptation to chronic diseases. Clinical implications: Understanding the nature of ER processes in older adults may contribute to implement tailored interventions aimed at reinforcing adaptive ER processes.