Introduction and purpose of the study: In the era of constant media exposure, increased exposure to traumatic news has raised concerns about its psychological impact, particularly in terms of emotional distress. This study aimed to examine the relationship between cognitive emotion regulation strategies and negative emotions, with a focus on how traumatic news exposure might moderate this relationship.
Method: The research was conducted in two stages. In Study 1 (n = 72), participants rated a pool of news stories, and items identified as highly traumatic were selected for use in the experimental phase. Study 2 (n = 120) utilized a between-subjects experimental design. Participants were randomly assigned to view either traumatic or neutral news content. The Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule were used to assess cognitive emotion regulation strategies and emotions.
Results: Findings indicated that individuals exposed to traumatic news experienced significantly more intense negative emotions than those who viewed neutral content. Moderation analysis revealed that the relationship between rumination as an emotion regulation strategy and negative emotions was moderated by the news types that the participants viewed, suggesting that rumination may function as a vulnerability factor in the context of trauma exposure.
Discussion: In conclusion, the study provides evidence for the critical role of cognitive emotion regulation strategies in shaping emotional responses in the context of traumatic news exposure. The findings highlight rumination as a key target for intervention and contribute to a growing body of literature that emphasizes the psychological consequences of indirect trauma exposure through media and underscore the role of individual differences in coping strategies and emotional processes. The findings also underscore the importance of addressing cognitive emotion regulation strategies in both therapeutic and preventive mental health interventions, especially in the context of widespread media exposure.