Research Overview:

This research focuses on people's generalized expectancies for negative mood regulation (NMR). NMR expectancies represent beliefs individuals have that, when they are in a bad mood, they can do something to make themselves feel better. We have developed the Negative Mood Regulation (NMR) Scale to measure these expectancies.

Our research suggests that people with strong beliefs in their ability to alleviate negative moods cope more adaptively with stress. They also experience less negative affect (anger, anxiety, depression, guilt) and fewer health problems.

Our research has been done on a variety of populations, including college students, caregivers for individuals with Alzheimer's disease, teachers and police officers.

This research is based in Julian B. Rotter's (1954) social learning theory. To learn more about J. B. Rotter and his theory, please click here.

Overall, growing research evidence suggests that NMR expectancies are important predictors of affect, cognition and behavior. People with strong NMR expectancies become less distressed when experiencing aversive circumstances; they react to aversive events by thinking more positive thoughts; and they are better able to use strategies to enhance their mood. Recent evidence also suggests that the NMR Scale is a useful measure for assessing progress in psychotherapy. And, people with stronger NMR expectancies seem to benefit more from psychotherapy than do people with weak expectancies.

Our colleague Matthias Backenstrass has led the effort to create a German language version of the scale. A Japanese language version of the scale is also currently under construction. Dr. Mearns is interested in recruiting Japanese students for California State University Fullerton's M.S. Program, who are interested in doing research on this topic.

Below are listed articles published by us and our colleagues. Click on the citation to view a summary of the article.

• Catanzaro & Mearns (1990). Measuring Generalized Expectancies for Negative Mood Regulation: Initial Scale Development and Implications.

• Kirsch, Mearns, & Catanzaro (1990). Mood-Regulation Expectancies as Determinants of Dysphoria in College Students.

• Mearns (1991). Coping with a Breakup: Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies and Depresssion Following the End of a Romantic Relationship.

• Catanzaro (1993). Mood Regulation Expectancies, Anxiety Sensitivity, and Emotional Distress.

• Brashares & Catanzaro (1994). Mood Regulation Expectancies, Coping Responses, Depression, and Sense of Burden in Female Caregivers of Alzheimer's Patients.

• Catanzaro (1994). Discrimination of Mood Regulation Expectancies From Dysphoria: Confirmatory Factor Analytic Findings.

• Catanzaro & Greenwood (1994). Expectancies for Negative Mood Regulation, Coping, and Dysphoria Among College Students.

• Catanzaro, Horaney, & Creasey (1995). Hassles, Coping, and Depressive Symptoms in an Elderly Community Sample: The Role of Mood Regulation Expectancies.

• Catanzaro (1996). Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies, Emotional Distress and Examination Performance.

• Catanzaro (1997). Mood Regulation Expectancies, Affect Intensity, Dispositional Coping, and Depressive Symptoms: A Conceptual Analysis and Empirical Reanalysis.

• Mearns & Mauch (1998). Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies Predict Anger among Police Officers and Buffer the Effects of Job Stress.

• Catanzaro & Mearns (1999). Mood-related Expectancy, Emotional Experience, and Coping Behavior.

• Catanzaro (2000). Mood Regulation and Suicidal Behavior.

• Catanzaro, Wasch, Kirsch, & Mearns (2000). Coping-related Expectancies and Dispositions as Prospective Predictors of Coping Responses and Symptoms.

• Mearns & Cain (2003). Relationships between Teachers' Occupational Stress and Their Burnout and Distress: Roles of Coping and Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies.

• Catanzaro & Laurent (2004). Perceived Family Support, Negative Mood Regulation Expectancies, Coping, and Adolescent Alcohol Use: Evidence of Mediation and Moderation Effects.

• Backenstrass, Pfeiffer, Schwarz, Catanzaro, & Mearns (2008). Reliabilitaet und Validitaet der Deutschsprachigen Version der Generalized Expectancies for Negative Mood Regulation (NMR) Scale [Reliability and Validity of the German Version of the Generalized Expectancies for Negative Mood Regulation (NMR) Scale]

Click here to see citations for the work of other researchers using the NMR Scale.

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Obtaining the NMR Scale:

Items and instructions for the NMR Scale are printed in Catanzaro & Mearns (1990). If you wish more information, send a description of your research to Dr. Catanzaro or Dr. Mearns.

Go to Jack Mearns's Homepage

Go to Salvatore J. Catanzaro's Homepage