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Emotion regulation processes linking peer victimization to anxiety and depression symptoms in adolescence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 May 2019

Molly Adrian ,
Jessica L. Jenness ,
Kevin S. Kuehn ,
Michele R. Smith  and
Katie A. McLaughlin
Molly Adrian*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
Jessica L. Jenness
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
Kevin S. Kuehn
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
Michele R. Smith
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
Katie A. McLaughlin
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
*
Author for correspondence: Molly Adrian, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, 6200 NE 74th St., Ste. 110, Seattle, WA 98115; E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Difficulties with emotion regulation can take many forms, including increased sensitivity to emotional cues and habitual use of maladaptive cognitive or behavioral regulation strategies. Despite extensive research on emotion regulation and youth adjustment, few studies integrate multiple measures of emotion regulation. The present study evaluated the underlying structure of emotion regulation processes in adolescence using both task- and survey-based measures and determined whether differences in these emotion regulation latent factors mediated the association between peer victimization and internalizing psychopathology. Adolescents aged 16–17 years (n = 287; 55% female; 42% White) recruited in three urban centers in the United States completed baseline and follow-up assessments 4 months apart. Three models of emotion regulation were evaluated with confirmatory factor analysis. A three-factor model fit the data best, including cognitive regulation, behavioral regulation, and emotional reactivity latent factors. Task-based measures did not load onto these latent factors. Difficulties with behavioral regulation mediated the association between peer victimization and depression symptoms, whereas cognitive regulation difficulties mediated the association with anxiety symptoms. Findings point to potential targets for intervention efforts to reduce risk for internalizing problems in adolescents following experiences of peer victimization.

Keywords

anxietydepressionemotion dysregulationemotion regulationpeer victimization
Type
Special Issue Articles
Information
Development and Psychopathology , Volume 31 , Special Issue 3: Emotion Dysregulation and Emerging Psychopathology , August 2019 , pp. 999 - 1009
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019 

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