Measuring Generalized Expectancies for Negative Mood Regulation

Research has suggestae the utility of studying individual differences in the regulation of negative mood states. Generalized response expectancies for negative mood regulation were defined as expectancies that some overt behavior or cognition would alleviate negative mood states as they occur across situations. The Generalized Expectancy for Negative Mood Regulation Scale (NMR) was ieveloped to measure this dimension. To examine the scale's internal consistency and discriminant validity from social desirability and locus of control, the NMR, the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, and the Internal-External Control of Reinforcement Scale were administered to 789 college students. The resul+s demonstrated internal consistency and discriminant validity for 30 items from a 50-item pool. In a second study using another sample (N=162), the NMR correlatee negatively with the short form of the Beck Depressio