What is it about?
This study looks at how the way we think about stress and emotions affects our mental health. Researchers found that people who believe stress can be helpful (a "stress-is-enhancing mindset") and those who believe emotions can be controlled and improved (an "emotional growth mindset") tend to have better mental health. Using daily surveys, the study showed that these mindsets create a positive cycle: better emotional control leads to less depression and more life satisfaction, which in turn strengthens emotional control. The findings suggest that teaching people to adopt these positive mindsets could be a simple yet powerful way to improve mental well-being.
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Why is it important?
This study is unique because it uses daily surveys to track how stress and emotion mindsets interact over time, providing a dynamic view of mental health. It’s also timely, as mental health challenges are on the rise globally, and there’s growing interest in mindset-based interventions. By showing how small shifts in thinking—like viewing stress as a challenge or believing emotions can change—can improve mental health, this work offers practical insights for individuals, educators, and mental health professionals. It bridges the gap between psychological theory and real-world application, making it relevant to a wide audience.
Perspectives
As someone who has always been fascinated by the power of mindset, this study resonates deeply with me. It’s inspiring to see how simple changes in how we think about stress and emotions can have such a profound impact on mental health. I believe this work has the potential to empower people to take control of their well-being in a way that’s accessible and practical. It’s a reminder that mental health isn’t just about managing symptoms but also about cultivating positive, adaptive ways of thinking. I’m excited to see how these findings can be applied in real-world settings, from schools to workplaces, to help people thrive.
Jun Hu
Peking University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Exploring the interplay between stress-is-enhancing mindsets, emotional growth mindsets, and mental health: Dynamic structural equation modeling., Emotion, January 2025, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/emo0001488.
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