Does Positive Meaning-Making in Self-Defining Narratives Mediate Emotion Regulation?

Positive emotion regulation skills, such as positive refocusing, positive meaning-making, and acceptance have been shown to predict well-being. The current study hypothesized that one of these mechanisms, positive meaning-making, would mediate the relationship between positive emotion regulation and well-being. Undergraduate students recruited from Dickinson College reported a self-defining memory and answered questionnaires related to emotion regulation and well-being. Results indicated that positive emotion regulation predicted well-being, but mediation was not supported. The findings contradict previous research that reported positive meaning-making as a significant predictor of well-being. However, the current study provides evidence that positive coping mechanisms in the wake of adversity may lead to higher levels of well-being.