“You Are___When___” Is Better Than “You Are Simply___”: Contextualized Perspectives Moderate the Effects of Negative Relationship Information on Negative Emotionality

This study examined and found evidence for the emotion-regulation effects of contextualized perspectives for negative relationship appraisals–specifically surrounding past conflict and undesirable partner traits. Across three studies, the overarching evidence suggested that contextualized perspectives of negative relationship information–particularly those surrounding past conflict–can downregulate negative emotional reactions from such appraisals.