Existing research indicated that expressive suppression, the deliberate inhibition of outward emotional expression, is a widely studied emotion regulation strategy. However, evidence regarding its functioning among Indian emerging adults, and its association with psychological well-being, remains scarce. One reason for this gap is the limited culturally grounded examination of suppression within daily academic, social, and digital contexts. The present study addresses this gap using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches.


In the quantitative phase, approximately 200 participants will be examined on "The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire" and "Ryff Scales of Psychological Well-Being". Regression analyses will help establish the association of expressive suppression and psychological well being. While in the qualitative phase, approximately 10 purposely selected participants will participate in semi-structured interviews describing the experiences of expressive suppression in the social environment. Thematic analyses will help identify patterns to contextualize thr quantitative findings.


This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of cognitive and emotional mechanisms underlying expressive suppression in Indian emerging adults. Findings will guide the development of culturally appropriate interventions to enhance adaptive emotion regulation strategies to ensure efficient psychological well-being and contribute to applied and interdisciplinary psychology by integrating cognitive, emotional, and social dimensions of everyday functioning.