Comparing the Effectiveness of Reappraisal Strategies in Adult Participants

NCT ID: NCT07008209

Last Updated: 2025-06-13

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

240 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-06-30

Study Completion Date

2025-09-30

Brief Summary

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The goal of this clinical trial is to learn which reappraisal strategy works better to reduce sadness and anxiety in emerging adults. The main questions it aims to answer are:

What is the effect of emotion regulation strategies (reconstrual, repurposing) on short term negative emotions (anxiety, sadness)?

Does the effectiveness of these strategies vary depending on the type of emotion (anxiety vs. sadness)?

Are reconstrual and repurposing more effective compared to active and passive control conditions?

What is the effect of these strategies on short-term positive emotions (e.g., hope, happiness)?

Researchers will compare reconstrual and repurposing strategies to see which one is more effective in improving emotional outcomes.

Participants will:

be randomly assigned to one of eight conditions in a 4 (Regulation Strategy: Reconstrual, Repurposing, Active Control, Passive Control) × 2 (Emotion Type: Sadness vs. Anxiety) factorial design.

Complete online tasks and surveys about their emotions

Detailed Description

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This study evaluates the effectiveness of two cognitive reappraisal strategies-reconstrual (reinterpreting the meaning of an event) and repurposing (modifying the personal goal related to the event)-in reducing negative affect and enhancing positive affect in response to emotion-evoking scenarios in emerging adults.

Participants (at least N = 240) will be randomly assigned to one of eight groups in a 2 (Emotion: Sadness vs. Anxiety) × 4 (Strategy: Reconstrual, Repurposing, Active Control, Passive Control) between-subjects factorial design. Each participant will complete standardized emotional induction tasks via written scenarios, followed by their assigned intervention.

Hypotheses

H1: Negative emotions (sadness or anxiety) will significantly decrease following the intervention in the reconstrual and repurposing groups compared to the active and passive control groups. (Main effect of strategy on negative affect)

H2: Positive emotions will increase more in the reconstrual and repurposing groups compared to the passive control group. (Main effect of strategy on positive affect)

H3 (Exploratory): The effectiveness of reconstrual and repurposing strategies may vary by emotion type:

Repurposing may be more effective in sadness scenarios.

Reconstrual may be more effective in anxiety scenarios. (Emotion Type × Strategy interaction)

H4: No significant emotional change is expected in the passive control group. (No time effect)

Study Design

Design Type: Experimental, between-subjects factorial design Design Structure: 2 (Emotion Type: Sadness vs. Anxiety) × 4 (Strategy Condition: Reconstrual, Repurposing, Active Control, Passive Control) Participants: Minimum N = 240 (n = 30 per group), emerging adults (ages \~18-30) Randomization: Random assignment to 1 of 8 groups Blinding: Participants are blind to condition purpose Type of Analysis: Mixed ANOVA

Within-Subject Factor: Time (Post-Scenario vs. Post-Intervention) Between-Subject Factors: Emotion Type × Strategy Group Dependent Variables: Emotional ratings post-intervention (Negative affect (VAS/SAM: anxiety, sadness); Positive affect (VAS/SAM).

Study Flow

1. Initial Assessment Demographics: Only name and age Baseline measures: Scale for contextual reappraisal (SCORE; for trait-level reconstrual and repurposing), GAD-7, PHQ-9
2. Neutral Stimulus A standardized neutral video from Samson et al. (2016) study.
3. Baseline Emotion Assesments: Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
4. Random Group Assignment

Participants randomly assigned to one of eight groups (n=30 per group):

Sadness - Reconstrual

Sadness - Repurposing

Sadness - Active Control

Sadness - Passive Control

Anxiety - Reconstrual

Anxiety - Repurposing

Anxiety - Active Control

Anxiety - Passive Control
5. Training Phase Strategy-specific training with a minimum 90-second reading time enforced

Practice vignette with 30-second enforced reading and comprehension check

Correct answers allow progression; incorrect answers trigger explanation and acknowledgment before continuing

Participants rate prior use of the trained strategy in daily life
6. Scenario Exposure Participants read and imagine a standardized written scenario (sadness or anxiety) matched for intensity and controllability (based on pilot data)

40-second enforced reading time

7\. Self-Assessment and Rating VAS and SAM administered

Ratings of scenario imaginability and controllability (0-100 scale)

Participants write their first negative thoughts when imagining the scenario

8\. Application Phase Participants apply assigned emotion regulation strategy with 90-second minimum enforced duration

Written brief explanation of alternative thoughts used

Post-application ratings with VAS and SAM

Participants rate effectiveness and belief in their reappraisal thoughts (0-100 scale)

9\. Manipulation Check In the form of two multiple-choice questions: Participants will be asked to select the instruction that best matched the guideline they received at the beginning of the experiment and to identify the general topic of the scenario they had visualized.

10\. Demographics: Exclusion criteria related questions 11. Debriefing Participants view debriefing statement

Conditions

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Emotional Dysregulation Anxiety Sadness Anxiety Disorders and Symptoms Depressive Symptoms

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

FACTORIAL

This study uses a 2 (Emotion Type: Sadness vs. Anxiety) × 4 (Strategy Type: Reconstrual, Repurposing, Active Control, Passive Control) between-subjects factorial design. Participants are randomly assigned to one of eight experimental groups. Each participant is exposed to an emotionally evocative scenario (either sadness or anxiety), followed by an intervention based on their assigned strategy condition. The aim is to examine the main and interaction effects of strategy type and emotion type on changes in emotional experience before and after the intervention.

Study Type: Interventional Design: Randomized, 2 × 4 between-subject factorial design Factors: Emotion Type (Sadness vs. Anxiety) × Strategy (Reconstrual, Repurposing, Active Control, Passive Control) Within-Subjects: Time (Post-Scenario vs. Post-Intervention) Allocation: Randomized Masking: Single-blind Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Investigators
This study uses an online platform (Qualtrics) to assign participants randomly to study arms and deliver interventions. Investigators are blinded to group allocation. Investigators do not have access to or control over assignment information during data collection, ensuring masking (single-blind design).

Study Groups

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Sadness - Reconstrual

Participants in this arm are exposed to sadness-related scenario and trained to use the reconstrual strategy, which involves reinterpreting the meaning of the situation to reduce negative emotions. Training is delivered online via Qualtrics and includes practice vignette. After training, participants apply reconstrual to the scenario to regulate their emotional response.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Reconstrual Strategy Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants receive training in the reconstrual strategy, which involves recognizing and reinterpreting initial negative appraisals of emotionally challenging situations. The training guides participants to:

Identify the situation and their initial negative interpretation.

Generate alternative, balanced explanations that reduce negative emotional impact.

The goal is to help participants view events from a different, realistic perspective to decrease negative emotions by modifying how they interpret situations.

Sadness - Repurposing

Participants view sadness-related scenario and receive training in repurposing, which focuses on changing the goal to alleviate negative feelings. Training and practice exercises are provided online through Qualtrics before applying the strategy to the scenario.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Repurposing Strategy Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants receive training in the repurposing strategy, which involves adjusting or replacing personal goals to better align with the current situation. The training guides participants to:

Identify the situation and the original goal that was not met.

Develop alternative, realistic goals or modify existing ones to reduce the emotional impact of unmet expectations.

This approach helps participants manage negative emotions by creating meaningful, adaptable goals that fit the reality of the situation.

Sadness - Active Control

Participants are presented with sadness-related scenario followed by a writing distraction task designed to divert attention from negative emotions. This arm controls for the effect of engaging in an active cognitive task unrelated to emotion regulation.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Active Control

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants are asked to carefully copy a neutral descriptive passage without making any changes, focusing solely on transcription accuracy. This task serves as an active control by engaging participants in a cognitive task that requires attention and effort, but does not involve emotion regulation strategies. The task controls for the effects of engagement and time spent on a task without influencing participants' emotional processing.

Sadness - Passive Control

Participants view sadness-related scenario but do not receive any emotion regulation training or distraction tasks. This arm serves as a baseline to measure natural emotional change over time.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Anxiety - Reconstrual

Participants are trained in reconstrual to reinterpret and reduce the perceived threat or negative appraisal of the situation and exposed to anxiety-inducing scenario. The online training includes practice vignette, followed by application of the strategy to the scenario.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Reconstrual Strategy Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants receive training in the reconstrual strategy, which involves recognizing and reinterpreting initial negative appraisals of emotionally challenging situations. The training guides participants to:

Identify the situation and their initial negative interpretation.

Generate alternative, balanced explanations that reduce negative emotional impact.

The goal is to help participants view events from a different, realistic perspective to decrease negative emotions by modifying how they interpret situations.

Anxiety - Repurposing

Participants view anxiety-related scenarios and receive training in repurposing, which focuses on changing the goal to alleviate negative feelings. Training and practice exercises are provided online through Qualtrics before applying the strategy to the scenario.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Repurposing Strategy Training

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants receive training in the repurposing strategy, which involves adjusting or replacing personal goals to better align with the current situation. The training guides participants to:

Identify the situation and the original goal that was not met.

Develop alternative, realistic goals or modify existing ones to reduce the emotional impact of unmet expectations.

This approach helps participants manage negative emotions by creating meaningful, adaptable goals that fit the reality of the situation.

Anxiety - Active Control

Participants are presented with anxiety-related scenario followed by a writing distraction task designed to divert attention from negative emotions. This arm controls for the effect of engaging in an active cognitive task unrelated to emotion regulation.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Active Control

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants are asked to carefully copy a neutral descriptive passage without making any changes, focusing solely on transcription accuracy. This task serves as an active control by engaging participants in a cognitive task that requires attention and effort, but does not involve emotion regulation strategies. The task controls for the effects of engagement and time spent on a task without influencing participants' emotional processing.

Anxiety - Passive Control

Participants view anxiety-related scenario but do not receive any emotion regulation training or distraction tasks. This arm serves as a baseline to measure natural emotional change over time.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Reconstrual Strategy Training

Participants receive training in the reconstrual strategy, which involves recognizing and reinterpreting initial negative appraisals of emotionally challenging situations. The training guides participants to:

Identify the situation and their initial negative interpretation.

Generate alternative, balanced explanations that reduce negative emotional impact.

The goal is to help participants view events from a different, realistic perspective to decrease negative emotions by modifying how they interpret situations.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Repurposing Strategy Training

Participants receive training in the repurposing strategy, which involves adjusting or replacing personal goals to better align with the current situation. The training guides participants to:

Identify the situation and the original goal that was not met.

Develop alternative, realistic goals or modify existing ones to reduce the emotional impact of unmet expectations.

This approach helps participants manage negative emotions by creating meaningful, adaptable goals that fit the reality of the situation.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Active Control

Participants are asked to carefully copy a neutral descriptive passage without making any changes, focusing solely on transcription accuracy. This task serves as an active control by engaging participants in a cognitive task that requires attention and effort, but does not involve emotion regulation strategies. The task controls for the effects of engagement and time spent on a task without influencing participants' emotional processing.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Aged 18-30 years
* Fluent in Turkish
* No current psychiatric treatment or diagnosis (self-reported)
* Willingness to participate and provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* History of severe psychiatric or neurological disorders
* Current substance use disorder
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

30 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Ibn Haldun University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Meryem Söğüt Kahramanlar

PhD(c)

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Ayşe ALTAN-ATALAY, Assoc. Prof. Dr

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Kadir Has University

Burcu UYSAL, Assoc. Prof. Dr

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Ibn Haldun University

Locations

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Ibn Haldun University

Istanbul, , Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

Central Contacts

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MERYEM KAHRAMANLAR, Ph.D(c)

Role: CONTACT

+905354573658

Facility Contacts

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MERYEM KAHRAMANLAR

Role: primary

+905354573658

References

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Samson AC, Kreibig SD, Soderstrom B, Wade AA, Gross JJ. Eliciting positive, negative and mixed emotional states: A film library for affective scientists. Cogn Emot. 2016 Aug;30(5):827-56. doi: 10.1080/02699931.2015.1031089. Epub 2015 May 1.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25929696 (View on PubMed)

Kam JWY, Wan-Sai-Cheong L, Zuk AAO, Mehta A, Dixon ML, Gross JJ. A brief reappraisal intervention leads to durable affective benefits. Emotion. 2024 Oct;24(7):1676-1688. doi: 10.1037/emo0001391. Epub 2024 Jun 20.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 38900559 (View on PubMed)

Uusberg A, Yih J, Taxer JL, Christ NM, Toms T, Uusberg H, Gross JJ. Appraisal shifts during reappraisal. Emotion. 2023 Oct;23(7):1985-2001. doi: 10.1037/emo0001202. Epub 2023 Feb 6.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36745065 (View on PubMed)

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Reference Type BACKGROUND
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Other Identifiers

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E-71395021-050.04-50851

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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