Is the association between various emotion-regulation skills and mental health mediated by the ability to modify emotions? Results from two cross-sectional studies

Background and objectivesIn order to clarify mechanisms underlying the association between emotion regulation and psychopathology, we tested whether the ability to modify negative emotions mediates the associations of other emotion-regulation skills with psychopathological symptoms in two studies.MethodsThe first study included 151 college students; the second included 121 psychiatric inpatients. Bootstrapping-enhanced mediation analyses were utilized to assess associations between self-reports of emotion-regulation skills and psychopathology, as well as potential mediation effects.ResultsIn both samples, the ability to modify emotions completely mediated the association between symptoms and skills for most skills, but not for the skill of accepting/tolerating negative emotions.LimitationsMajor limitations include the use of a cross-sectional design as well as exclusive use of self-report data.ConclusionsThe ability to modify negative emotions may be the common pathway by which many emotion-regulation skills exert their influence on mental health; however, the skill of accepting/tolerating negative emotions may be beneficial to mental health regardless of whether or not it facilitates modification of emotions.

► Deficits in emotion regulation (ER) are relevant in the context of various mental-health problems. ► An overly-broad conceptualization of ER threatens its value as a heuristic paradigm. ► Validity of assessment of ER needs to be improved. ► A stronger clinical focus is needed in research on ER. ► Research needs to identify mechanisms by which ER skills affect psychopathology.