Gender differences in emotional regulation among urban elderly men and women

This studyuncovers the gender differences in the Emotion Regulation (ER) mechanisms of the 110 metropolitan elderly persons (55 males and 55 females) selected from the urban housing complexes of Ahmedabad based on age sixty years and above. The study aimed to investigate the elderly population s mental health, particularly emotional resilience, which is crucial to help them endure life s challenges and maintain a high quality of life. The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) was used to evaluate two methods of emotional regulation: cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. The results revealed no significant gender disparities in the overall use of emotional regulation. However, they did indicate a slight trend suggesting women use the cognitive reappraisal strategy more than men to regulate ER. This study's findings challenge the notion that ageing is linked to a decline in emotional well-being and advocate for initiatives to enhance the emotional health of this population. Identijj;ing these gender differences can inform the development of public health policies and psychological support services that cater to the emotional needs of both men and women, potentially revolutionizing how we approach elderly care. This, in turn, can strengthen seniors' social relationships, reduce loneliness, and improve their quality of life, offering hope for a brighter future for the elderly.