Does interpersonal affect regulation influence others’ task performance? The mediating role of positive mood

An important part of many job roles – such as coaches, instructors, and leaders – is trying to improve the performance of others. In this paper we examine whether affect-improving interpersonal affect regulation (i.e., deliberate attempts to improve the emotion and mood of another person) plays a positive role in this process. We develop a model which proposes that the positive relationship between the receipt of interpersonal affect regulation and task performance is mediated by positive mood. Results of two dyadic studies (one with academics and doctoral students, N = 78, the other with driving instructors and learner drivers, N = 100) support the hypothesized model, and show that the effects of interpersonal affect regulation are over and above the effects of emotional contagion. Our findings extend theoretical understanding of the effects of interpersonal affect regulation by illustrating a core mechanism through which it influences others’ task behaviour. Our research also provides new evidence on the relational and affective processes through which people holding key organizational roles (e.g., coaches, instructors, mentors, leaders) are able to improve others’ task performance.