Comment: The Emotion–Health Link: Perspectives From a Lifespan Theory of Discrete Emotions. (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kunzmann, Ute; Wrosch, Carsten
• Is Part Of: Emotion review. Volume 10:Number 1(2018:Jan.)
• Page Start: 59
• Page End: 61
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: emotion -- lifespan development -- physical health; Emotions -- Periodicals; Emotions -- Research -- Periodicals; 152.4
• DOI: 10.1177/1754073917719332
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1754-0739

Abstract

Suls provides a useful review of research interested in the contribution of chronic negative emotions to coronary heart disease (CHD). Despite widespread support for a link between negative emotions and the etiology of disease, it is largely unknown if discrete negative emotions, particularly anger, sadness, and anxiety contribute to the development of physical disease in different ways. In this comment, we argue that answering this question will require a more comprehensive analysis of the unique characteristics of discrete emotions as well as conceptually refined assumptions about how discrete emotions develop and change across the adult lifespan.