Emotional Ambivalence in Daily Life: Implication for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress

Emotional ambivalence—the simultaneous experience of positive and negative emotion toward the same target—is associated with affective outcomes such as depression and anxiety across various life-changing events. However, existing studies often examined it as a trait, leaving its everyday dynamics understudied. Across five experience sampling datasets (Study 1: 110 adults, 2,060 observations; Study 2: 447 adults, 16,128 observations; Study 3: 40 adults, 4,542 observations; Study 4: 299 adults, 3,796 observations; Study 5: 756 adults, 7,378 observations), this study examined (a) the short-term variability of emotional ambivalence, and (b) the association between emotional ambivalence and momentary affective outcomes (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress) in daily life. Results showed that emotional ambivalence varied significantly throughout the survey period. Higher levels of emotional ambivalence at both state and trait levels were associated with increased depression, stress, and anxiety in most studies. After controlling for mean positive and negative emotions, higher emotional ambivalence remained significantly associated with higher depression and anxiety in most studies, though many trait-level results were insignificant. A mini meta-analysis further indicated that emotional ambivalence at both trait and state levels was significantly associated with these affective outcomes across five studies, except for the association between emotional ambivalence at the trait level and stress. This comprehensive examination highlights the need to consider the fluctuations in emotional ambivalence. The insights gained also underscore the importance of considering the multifaceted nature of emotional experiences for a better understanding of emotional experience and well-being.