Research Information System
Acta Psychologica, vol.261, 2025 (SSCI, Scopus)
Traditional mental health paradigms have primarily focused on symptom reduction as a measure of well-being. However, emerging research suggests the absence of psychological symptoms does not necessarily equate to well-being, highlighting the need for a broader assessment of mental health. Emotion efficacy, defined as the ability to experience and respond to a full range of emotions in a contextually adaptive, values-consistent manner, plays a crucial role in both emotional regulation and overall well-being. This is particularly relevant during emerging adulthood, a developmental stage associated with heightened emotional challenges and increased vulnerability to mental health issues, where strengthening emotional functioning may yield significant benefits. This exploratory study examined the effects of Emotion Efficacy Training (EET), a process-based, transdiagnostic intervention, using a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up experimental design with emerging adults. Participants in the EET intervention group exhibited (a) significantly higher emotion efficacy and (b) greater emotional, social, and psychological well-being compared to the control group. While not the primary aim of the study, participants also reported lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress following the intervention. These findings suggest that increasing emotion efficacy may support both improvements in well-being, as well as reductions in psychological distress, highlighting the potential value of process-based interventions that foster adaptive emotional engagement and regulation.