Introduction:
Emotion regulation is a fundamental aspect of human adaptive functioning, and its connection to cognitive processes has long been of interest. Yet, the precise nature of the relationship between emotion regulation and cognitive control remains elusive and there is a scarcity of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Method:
To address this gap, we explored the link between individual differences in cognitive control (response inhibition, memory updating, and set-shifting) and emotion regulation strategy use and ability (reappraisal, suppression, acceptance, and rumination) by conducting two laboratory studies (N1 = 199; N2 = 115) and a meta-analysis.

Preliminary Results:
Using a latent-variable model, our laboratory studies revealed small-sized associations between reappraisal ability with memory updating and response inhibition. Intriguingly, our meta-analysis supported and extended these findings, yielding evidence for small relationships between reappraisal ability with memory updating and response inhibition. In contrast, we observed a lack of robust associations between cognitive control and the use and success of other emotion regulation strategies across studies.

Discussion:
The combined results of our laboratory studies and the meta-analysis offer theoretical and methodological insights into the cognitive underpinnings of emotion regulation. In addition, our findings challenge previously held assumptions about the close relationship between cognitive control and emotion regulation. Instead, alternative conceptions of emotion regulation emphasizing the flexible adaptation of regulatory strategies to various contexts may be more pertinent for studying the link with cognitive control.