Online emotion regulation training for emerging adults: effects on psychological well-being

The global rates of depression and other emotional problems have significantly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. Young adults, although not at high risk for severe COVID-19 symptoms, are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems. This study aims to examine the effects of a five-week online emotion regulation training program on the emotion regulation abilities and overall psychological well-being of emerging adults. The study recruited 183 college students who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Online Emotion Regulation Training I ( n = 63), Online Emotion Regulation Training II ( n = 61), or a Wait-List Control group ( n = 59). Assessments at baseline, two- weeks, four-weeks, the end of training, and three-months follow-up include depressive symptoms, stress, self-compassion, and emotion regulation. The results showed that the training reduced depressive mood and perceived stress, with sustained effects. Self-compassion improved with practice. The training improved some emotion regulation skills, but not all. The order of training activities did not significantly affect mental health outcomes but influenced the maintenance of emotion regulation skills. The study demonstrates the potential effectiveness of online emotion regulation training in enhancing mental health outcomes for young adults. Limitations of the study include the reliance on self-report measures and the relatively short follow-up period. In conclusion, online emotion regulation training shows promise as an accessible and effective intervention for improving mental health among young adults, but further research is needed to explore long-term effects and optimal training conditions.