Emotion regulation styles and daily need-based experiences, energy and sleep in people living with HIV

Drawing on Self-Determination Theory, this 14-day daily diary study investigated associations between need-based experiences, energy and sleep among 68 individuals living with HIV (mean age = 46.52, SD = 12.08; 81% male). Baseline emotion regulation (ER) styles were examined as antecedents or moderators. Multi-level models indicated daily need satisfaction to be related to increases in evening vitality and decreases in evening fatigue, while daily need frustration showed an opposite pattern and related to less sleep quality. In turn, lower energy in the evening and poor sleep quality in the morning related to less need satisfaction and more need frustration the next day, suggesting a negative spiral. Limited evidence was found for ER as a moderator, although some indications emerged for ER styles as antecedents of daily need-based experiences. These findings underscore the relevance of addressing psychological needs in understanding daily energy and sleep fluctuations in people living with HIV.