Resting-state theta/beta ratio is associated with distraction but not with reappraisal

•The links between resting-state EEG and emotion regulation strategies were examined.•Frontal and parietal theta beta ratio was correlated with distraction tendency.•Frontal and parietal theta beta ratio was not associated with reappraisal. Although previous research indicated that resting-state theta/beta ratio (TBR) is related to unspecified emotion regulation (ER), the ER strategies associated with TBR remain unclear. We examined whether representative ER strategies—distraction and reappraisal—are related to resting-state TBR. Data from sixty-one healthy Japanese university students were recorded in an eyes-closed resting-state with an electroencephalogram (EEG). Their self-reported tendencies of distraction and reappraisal were assessed. Rank-correlation analyses revealed that lower frontal and parietal TBR were associated with high distraction tendency. However, frontal and parietal TBR were not correlated with reappraisal. Given that TBR is linked to attention control, distraction may be associated with TBR. Consequently, TBR can be used to identify persons with ER difficulties, based on the results of this study.