Chinese Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Child Version of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire

Abstract

This study aimed to validate a Chinese’s adaption of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire for children (CERQ-Ck). This self-report instrument evaluates nine cognitive emotion regulation strategies that can be used by children after experiencing a negative life event. The CERQ-Ck was evaluated in a sample of 1403 elementary students between the ages of 9 and 11 by using cluster sampling. All the item-correlation coefficients for CERQ-Ck were above 0.30. The internal consistencies of the nine factors suggested moderate reliability (0.66 to 0.73). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) indicated that the current version had the same structure as the original instrument (Tucker–Lewis index = 0.912, comparative fit index = 0.922, root mean square error of approximation = 0.032, standardized root mean square residual = 0.044). A second-order factor and a third-order factor structure were also found. Test–retest correlations (0.53 to 0.70, ps < 0.01) over a period of 1 month, which ranged from acceptable to moderately strong were obtained from a random and stratified subsample of elementary students (N = 76). In addition, we analyzed convergent validity in relation to CERQ-Ck and the Chinese version of the Children’s Depression Inventory model dimensions with a subsample of 1083 elementary students. Multiple-group CFA confirmed the measurement invariance for both the male and female groups (ΔCFI < 0.01, ΔRMSEA < 0.015). Overall, results indicate that CERQ-Ck has similar psychometric properties to the original instrument as well as with adequate reliability and validity to investigate the nine cognitive emotion regulation strategies during late childhood developmental periods.

The Influence of Negative Life Events on Suicidal Ideation in College Students: The Role of Rumination

“…Rumination can trigger a variety of negative emotional reactions in individuals, such as depression and sadness [54][55][56]. Most research results consistently show that rumination is a susceptibility factor of negative cognitive bias [57].…”

Spanish adaptation and psychometric properties of the child version of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire

“…As in adults, the use of certain CER strategies are strongly related to the presence of emotional problems in children (i.e., anxiety and depression), having these strategies a potential value as an indicator of child psychopathology and as a target for the prevention and treatment of these problems [ 6 , 7 ]. In this regard, it has been stressed that the development of adaptive CER strategies during childhood can have an important protective effect and reduce the risk of future disorders [ 8 ]. Therefore, the assessment of CER strategies can be important as it can be useful for the diagnosis process of childhood emotional problems and for establishing effective prevention or intervention strategies [ 8 ].…”

“…In this regard, it has been stressed that the development of adaptive CER strategies during childhood can have an important protective effect and reduce the risk of future disorders [ 8 ]. Therefore, the assessment of CER strategies can be important as it can be useful for the diagnosis process of childhood emotional problems and for establishing effective prevention or intervention strategies [ 8 ].…”

“…Although the CERQ was first developed with adult and adolescent populations, a version adapted for children under 12 was created, the CERQ-k [ 6 ]. This version and its adaptations to other languages maintain the original factor structure and have shown adequate internal consistency, with Cronbach's alphas between .62 and .79 [ 6 , 8 ]. Despite being an instrument of great clinical and research utility to detect cognitive patterns of emotion regulation that predict the presence of emotional symptomatology in children, the measure has not been validated for Spanish-speaking children.…”

“…To achieve this aim, the factor structure was analysed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), internal consistency and test-retest reliability of each dimension of the CERQ-k were examined, and convergent validity was evaluated. Based on previous studies [ 6 – 8 ], it was hypothesized that the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the CERQ-k would be adequate, and the nine factors corresponding to the nine cognitive strategies of coping would be confirmed.…”