Regulation of Emotion Systems Survey, RESS

Test scores

Higher scores indicate stronger use of the corresponding emotion-regulation strategy.

• Rumination – the tendency to dwell on emotional experiences, repeatedly think about what happened, and mentally rehearse distressing feelings or concerns.

• Engagement – the tendency to actively approach and express emotional experience, including acknowledging feelings, communicating them, or seeking emotional contact with others.

• Suppression – the tendency to inhibit or hide emotional expression, keeping feelings from being shown outwardly.

• Relaxation – efforts to reduce physiological arousal and calm the body, such as relaxing, slowing down, or trying to become less tense.

• Distraction – shifting attention away from emotional distress toward other thoughts, activities, or stimuli.

• Reappraisal – changing the interpretation of a situation in order to alter its emotional impact.