Beliefs about the longevity of emotions and depression

Abstract

The literature on beliefs about emotions has primarily addressed malleability beliefs (i.e., beliefs that emotions can change), but beliefs about the longevity of emotions (i.e., beliefs about the persistence of emotions) have emerged as significant factors related to emotional distress. This research investigated which specific longevity beliefs about emotions are most closely associated with depressive symptoms (Studies 1 and 2) and whether longevity beliefs predict greater persistence of depressive affect in daily life (emotional inertia) in Study 3. Study 1, involving female U.S. college students (n = 73), found that explicit longevity beliefs about depressive affect significantly predicted higher depressive symptoms, even after accounting for other longevity beliefs and current affect. Study 2, with U.S. adult residents (n = 232), showed that explicit longevity beliefs about depressive affect (but not about positive affect) predicted increased depressive symptoms, after controlling for malleability beliefs. Study 3 demonstrated that female South Korean college students with depressive disorders (n = 50) who believed depressive affect lasts longer experienced higher emotional inertia in daily life. These findings highlight the importance of examining longevity beliefs about emotions, especially depressive affect, in understanding depression. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd