Development of questionnaires on emotion awareness and emotion myths and an integrative intervention program of emotion regulation: A preliminary examination

In this study composed of two phases. the aim of the first study is to develop and examine psychometric properties of two instrument tools about emotion regulation which assess emotion awareness (Emotion Awareness Questionnaire: DFA) and emotion myths (Emotion Myths Questionnaire: DMA) By using the online data collection method, 421 community adults participated into the study and complete the instrument tools which evaluate emotion awareness, emotion myths, emotion regulation, alexithymia, psychological flexibility and personality traits. Exploratory factor analysis for DFA and DMA was conducted. It was found that DFA has a 2-factor structure: positive affect and negative affect, while DMA has single factor structure. Criterion and concurrent validity were tested for both instruments with help of some other relevant measures and the results of the analyses indicated that both measurement tools are valid and reliable. In the second study, Integrative Intervention Program for Emotion Regulation (I-PER) was first developed and then, a preliminary examination on its effect was conducted in a pre-post test control group research design where there were 7 people in each groups. I-PER is a 5-session intervention program involving various methods to recognize emotions, cope with negative emotions and increase positive emotions. Participants completed instrument tools assessing emotion awareness, emotion myths, emotion regulation difficulty and psychological well-being before and after intervention. The results of group comparisons showed that there was only a significant difference among the groups in the belief of emotion myths. The findings of the study were interpreted in the light of the literature on emotion awareness, emotion regulation and emotion myths on psychological well-being. Keywords: Emotion Awareness, Emotion Myths, Integrative Emotion Regulation Training Program, Emotion Regulation, Psychological Well-Being.