Spectral Power Measurement of EEG Neural Oscillation During Emotional Regulation Tasks: A Signal Processing Approach

¹ Department of Psychology, Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
² Department of Psychology, Bartin University, Bartin, Turkey

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published online: 2 July 2026

Abstract

Emotional regulation is a psychological mechanism intricately linked to neural function and cognitive adjustment. Recent progress in neuroscience has shown that neural oscillations significantly influence emotional processing, attentional control, and adaptive behavioral responses. This research explores the connection between neural oscillatory activity and emotional regulation through a biopsychosocial lens, integrating psychological theories of emotion with brainwave dynamics and neurophysiological processes. The study examines how neural synchronization patterns influence both adaptive and maladaptive emotional regulations in young adults. A quantitative explanatory method was utilized, involving university students. Neural activity was evaluated using electroencephalography (EEG) recordings, focusing on alpha, beta, and theta wave oscillations during emotion-stimulating tasks. Psychological data were gathered through established emotional regulation and psychological well-being assessments. Data examination incorporated spectral frequency analysis. The results suggest that heightened alpha wave synchronization correlates with effective emotional regulation and improved psychological well-being, while excessive beta activity is strongly linked to emotional instability, anxiety, and cognitive strain. Theta oscillations were recognized for their role in emotional awareness and reflective processing during tasks involving emotional regulation.