Emotion Regulation Questionnaire for use with athletes

ObjectivesThree studies examine the factorial validity, internal consistency, test–retest stability, and criterion validity of the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ: Gross & John, 2003) for use with athletes.DesignFactorial validity, internal consistency, test–retest stability and criterion validity of the ERQ were examined over three stages, using three separate samples.MethodIn stage 1 the factorial validity and internal consistency of the ERQ subscales were examined based on responses from 433 sport participants. In stage 2, 176 sport participants completed the ERQ on two occasions separated by an interval of two weeks. In stage 3, the criterion validity of the ERQ was examined. Sport participants (n = 88) completed the ERQ and reported the intensity, frequency and direction of a range of emotions experienced when competing in sport.ResultsConfirmatory factor analysis results lend some support to a two-factor model when reappraisal and suppression are allowed to correlate. Alpha coefficients were acceptable. Test–retest stability analyses indicated poor agreement and a greater influence of situational, as opposed to trait factors, in the variance of item scores on the second test administration. In addition, results were partially consistent with findings of Gross and John (2003): reappraisal scores were associated with pleasant emotions, but suppression scores were not associated with unpleasant emotions.ConclusionResults provide mixed support for the validity of the ERQ in sport. Because the ERQ is intended to assess stable patterns of emotion regulation, the instability of items is a concern and reasons for this require further investigation.

► The validity of the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) is explored among athletes. ► The ERQ assesses individuals' use of reappraisal and suppression to manage emotion. ► Consistency, stability, factorial and predictive validity of the ERQ are examined. ► The validity of the ERQ is generally supported, but scores are unstable over time. ► The ERQ is a valid measure of athletes' use of reappraisal and suppression.