Emotional independence
Emotional independence is not a single strictly standardized psychological term, but in contemporary scientific literature it is conceptualized as a person’s capacity to regulate, process, and sustain emotional stability autonomously, without excessive reliance on external validation, approval, or interpersonal reinforcement. It is closely related to constructs such as emotion regulation, autonomy, and self-determination. As emotion regulation is defined as emotion regulation refers to the processes by which individuals influence which emotions they have, when they have them, and how they experience and express these emotions, emotional independence can be understood within this framework (Gross, 1998, p. 275).
From the perspective of Self-Determination Theory, emotionally autonomous functioning is linked to the ability to experience and regulate emotions in a way that is consistent with one’s internal values and needs rather than external pressures; In this sense, support for autonomy allows individuals to actively transform values into their own. This includes the integration of emotional experiences without suppression or dependence on others for emotional stability (Ryan & Deci, 2000, p. 74).
In emotion regulation theory, emotional independence can be understood as a higher-order regulatory capacity that involves flexible use of strategies such as cognitive reappraisal, which one form of cognitive change that has received particular attention is reappraisal. This involves cognitively transforming the situation so as to alter its emotional impact, enabling individuals to manage emotional responses without becoming emotionally dependent on external circumstances or social approval (Gross, 1998, p. 282).
Gross, J. J. (1998). The emerging field of emotion regulation: An integrative review. Review of General Psychology, 2(3), p. 271-288. Retrieved from: https://emotion.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1353/2021/11/Gross-1998-The-Emerging-Field-of-Emotion-R
Hu, P., & Zhang, J. (2017). A pathway to learner autonomy: a self-determination theory perspective. Asia Pacific Education Review, 18(1),p. 147–156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-016-9468-z .
Roth, G., Vansteenkiste, M., & Ryan, R. M. (2019). Integrative emotion regulation: Process and development from a self-determination theory perspective. Development and Psychopathology, 31(3),p. 1-9. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1),p. 68-76. Retrieved from: https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/SDT/documents/2000_Ry