A Limited Repertoire of Emotion Regulation Strategies is Associated with Internalizing Problems in Adolescence

Abstract

The present study was designed to test whether the beneficial effects of emotion regulation (ER) have less to do with the use of singular, ‘adaptive’ strategies and more to do with using a range of strategies. Using a community sample of adolescents (N = 177, M = 13.6 years), groups based on five measures of ER (reappraisal, suppression, concealing, emotional engagement, and adjusting) were created through latent profile analysis. A six‐group model was the best fit. As hypothesized, ER profiles with high scores on one or two indicators were associated with higher levels of internalizing problems, whereas profiles with average to high scores on several indicators and high scores on adjusting were associated with lower levels of internalizing problems (depression, general anxiety, and social anxiety). Results highlight the importance of having different ER strategies to use and that a limited ER repertoire in adolescence may be associated with internalizing problems.

Emotion regulation and the temporal dynamics of emotions: Effects of cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression on emotional inertia

“…This may occur because suppression necessarily reduces the repertoire of possible behaviours a person can express in a given situation to those that are relatively nonemotional. 7 While expressive suppression may not always be detrimental (e.g., Bonanno et al, 2004), when suppression is habitual, and especially when it is not part of a broader repertoire of emotion regulation strategies, it may confer increased risk for psychopathology (Aldao et al, 2010;Lougheed & Hollenstein, 2012). Third, the current studies begin to shed light on the possible mechanisms underlying the association between emotional inertia and low well-being.…”

How do you feel today? Managing patient emotions during health care experiences to enhance well-being

“…Balzarotti, John, & Gross, 2010), self-esteem, better social relationships (John & Gross, 2004), and reduced stress-related symptoms (e.g. Lougheed & Hollenstein, 2012;Moore et al, 2008). On the other hand, expressive suppression is linked to lower life satisfaction (e.g.…”

Personal and Contextual Factors Related to Internalizing Problems During Adolescence

“…As of puberty, selfesteem suffers a significant decrease, coinciding with an increase in emotional problems (Robins, Trzesniewski, Tracy, Gosling, and Potter, 2002). Difficulty in understanding emotions, both their own and those of others, and regulating emotions and moods have been postulated as important risk factors in developing internalizing problems (Bradley, 2000;Lougheed and Hollenstein, 2012).…”