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Is It Possible to Be Happy during the COVID-19 Lockdown? A Longitudinal Study of the Role of Emotional Regulation Strategies and Pleasant Activities in Happiness

Author

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  • María José Gutiérrez-Cobo

    (Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain)

  • Alberto Megías-Robles

    (Department of Basic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain)

  • Raquel Gómez-Leal

    (Department of Basic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain)

  • Rosario Cabello

    (Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain)

  • Pablo Fernández-Berrocal

    (Department of Basic Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain)

Abstract

This study aimed to longitudinally analyze the role played by two emotional regulation strategies (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression), through the mediating effect of engagement in pleasant activities during lockdown, in changes in affective and cognitive happiness in comparison with pre-pandemic levels. Eighty-eight participants from a community sample were evaluated at two timepoints. At timepoint 1 (before the COVID-19 pandemic), participants were evaluated on emotional regulation and cognitive and affective happiness. At timepoint 2 (during the COVID-19 lockdown), participants were evaluated on cognitive and affective happiness and the frequency with which they engaged in pleasant activities. We found an optimal fit of the proposed model in which cognitive reappraisal was significantly related to engagement in more pleasant activities during the lockdown. In turn, these pleasant activities were related to more affective happiness during the lockdown (compared with pre-pandemic levels), and this affective happiness was associated with greater cognitive happiness. In conclusion, cognitive reappraisal was a protective factor for affective and cognitive happiness through the mediating role of engagement in pleasant activities during lockdown. Limitations and future lines of investigation are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • María José Gutiérrez-Cobo & Alberto Megías-Robles & Raquel Gómez-Leal & Rosario Cabello & Pablo Fernández-Berrocal, 2021. "Is It Possible to Be Happy during the COVID-19 Lockdown? A Longitudinal Study of the Role of Emotional Regulation Strategies and Pleasant Activities in Happiness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-10, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:3211-:d:520695
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chu Kim-Prieto & Ed Diener & Maya Tamir & Christie Scollon & Marissa Diener, 2005. "Integrating The Diverse Definitions of Happiness: A Time-Sequential Framework of Subjective Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 6(3), pages 261-300, September.
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    1. Bernat-Carles Serdà & Maria Aymerich & Josefina Patiño-Masó & Mònica Cunill, 2021. "Mental Health Screening of Healthcare Professionals Who Are Candidates for Psychological Assistance during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Liying Jiao & Wen Jiang & Zhen Guo & Yue Xiao & Mengke Yu & Yan Xu, 2023. "Good Personality and Subjective Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study in Chinese Contexts," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 589-606, February.

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