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Zhao Y, Wang P. Flexible Regulation of Positive and Negative Emotion Expression: Reexamining the Factor Structure of the Flexible Regulation of Emotional Expression Scale (FREE) Based on Emotion Valence. J Intell 2024; 12:85. [PMID: 39330464 PMCID: PMC11432936 DOI: 10.3390/jintelligence12090085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The Flexible Regulation of Emotional Expression (FREE) Scale assesses individuals' ability to enhance and suppress their emotional expressions across different situations. This study investigates the optimal factor structure of the FREE and emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between the regulation abilities for positive and negative expressions. A sample of 607 undergraduates (Mage = 19.02, SD = 1.02, 72.2% female) from Mainland China completed the questionnaire survey. Confirmatory factor analyses tested eight competing models of the FREE structure. Results indicated that the second-order model, featuring two higher-order factors (expressive enhancement and suppression abilities), fit the data well. An alternative second-order model, with two different higher-order factors (positive and negative emotion expressive abilities) and the same four first-order factors, demonstrated an even better fit. Various types of expressive ability scores showed predictive validity regarding emotion regulation self-efficacy, mental health outcomes, and relationship stress. Regulation of emotional expression can be represented by either regulation type or emotion valence, with the latter providing more informative insights. Flexible regulation of positive and negative emotion expression predicted fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and relationship stress beyond emotion regulation self-efficacy. These findings highlight the importance of considering emotional valence in understanding flexibility in expression regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhua Zhao
- School of Psychology, Henan University, Jinming Campus, Kaifeng 475001, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Center for Teacher Education, School of Education Sciences, Henan University, Jinming Campus, Kaifeng 475001, China
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Haag AC, Bagrodia R, Bonanno GA. Emotion Regulation Flexibility in Adolescents: A Systematic Review from Conceptualization to Methodology. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2024:10.1007/s10567-024-00483-6. [PMID: 39003663 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-024-00483-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Considerable attention has been devoted to the concept of flexible emotion regulation, which de-emphasizes the importance of any specific regulatory strategy in favor of the flexible deployment of strategies in response to specific situational challenges. The bulk of research in this area has been conducted on adult samples. Research on emotion regulation flexibility (ERF) in youth has been documented in only a limited number of studies and using various definitions. This systematic review aims to gather and summarize different conceptualizations and methodological approaches of adolescent ERF. We incorporate these findings into a general framework to understand ERF and its role in adolescents' emotional, behavioral and social functioning. Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, 11 studies were included in the review. While ERF has been defined in various and inconsistent ways, the included studies utilized conceptualizations from two overarching domains: the regulation of expressed emotion and the repertoire of emotion regulation strategies. Promising approaches and future directions will be highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Christin Haag
- Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 West 120th Street, Box 102, New York, NY, 10027, USA.
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Steinhövelstrasse 5, 89075, Ulm, Germany.
- German Center for Mental Health, DZPG, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Rohini Bagrodia
- Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 West 120th Street, Box 102, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - George A Bonanno
- Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 West 120th Street, Box 102, New York, NY, 10027, USA
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Lass-Hennemann J, Sopp MR, Ruf N, Equit M, Schäfer SK, Wirth BE, Michael T. Generation climate crisis, COVID-19, and Russia-Ukraine-War: global crises and mental health in adolescents. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024; 33:2203-2216. [PMID: 37814081 PMCID: PMC11255088 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02300-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Climate change, COVID-19, and the Russia-Ukraine War are some of the great challenges of our time. These global crises affect young people in a particularly vulnerable phase of their lives. The current study aimed to assess the impact of these crises on mental health (depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life) in secondary school students in Germany. Furthermore, we assessed known predictors of mental health, such as socio-economic factors, individual life stressors, and resilience factors (self-efficacy, expressive flexibility) as covariates. In our sample of 3998 pupils, pandemic- and climate-related distress were linked to greater depression and anxiety and reduced health-related quality of life. War-related distress was associated with greater anxiety. Critically, these associations remained significant after controlling for all covariates, supporting the incremental predictive value of the crises measures. The study reveals a significant impact of the crises on the mental health of the current generation of adolescents. As such it suggests that mental health policies should include interventions that help youth to cope with the stress caused by the crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Lass-Hennemann
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - M Roxanne Sopp
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Norma Ruf
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Monika Equit
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Sarah K Schäfer
- Division of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Mainz, Germany
| | - Benedikt E Wirth
- Department of Cognitive Assistants, German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Tanja Michael
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany.
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Saarland University, Campus A1 3, 66123, Saarbrücken, Germany.
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Cesari A, Galeoto G, Panuccio F, Simeon R, Berardi A. Evaluation instruments for executive functions in children and adolescents: an update of a systematic review. Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res 2024; 24:487-508. [PMID: 38294492 DOI: 10.1080/14737167.2024.2311872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of this study is to update a systematic review of instruments for evaluating the executive functions (EFs) in a pediatric population to assess their measurement properties. AREA COVERED Studies describing evaluation tools of EFs were systematically searched on four electronic databases: PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus, and Web of Science. To be included studies had to be on a population aged 0 to 18 were included. The individuals were either healthy or presented a neurodevelopment disorder. Risk of Bias was evaluated through the Consensus-based Standards to select the health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN). EXPERT OPINION The search was conducted on April 2023. Eighty-four papers met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study; the studies refer to 72 different evaluation tools of EFs. Most of the studies analyzed through a methodological quality analysis received an 'adequate' score. The instrument most mentioned was the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-2 (BRIEF2) in seven articles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Cesari
- School of Occupational Therapy, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Galeoto
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy
| | | | - Rachele Simeon
- School of Occupational Therapy, Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Berardi
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Isernia, Italy
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Zhang S, Liu J, Sang B, Zhao Y. Age and gender differences in expressive flexibility and the association with depressive symptoms in adolescents. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1185820. [PMID: 37223827 PMCID: PMC10202151 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1185820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This study investigated age and gender differences in the ability to flexibly enhance and suppress facial expressions according to situational demands, known as expressive flexibility (EF), as well as its relationship with depressive symptoms in adolescents. Methods The participants included 766 Chinese high school students aged between 12 and 18 years (mean age = 14.96 years, standard deviation = 2.04; 52.2% female). Data on EF and depressive symptoms were collected using self-report questionnaires. Results Girls scored higher on enhancement abilities than boys, but with no significant gender difference in suppression abilities. There were also no significant age-related differences in enhancement and suppression abilities. Only enhancement ability was negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusion The development of EF abilities was stable among adolescents, with varying effects in terms of gender, and the importance of EF and enhancement abilities in reducing depressive symptoms in adolescents was highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohua Zhang
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junsheng Liu
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Biao Sang
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- Lab for Educational Big Data and Policymaking, Shanghai Academy of Educational Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuyang Zhao
- Department of Social Work, School of Sociology and Political Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
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Wang Y, Hawk ST, Branje S, Van Lissa CJ. Longitudinal links between expressive flexibility and friendship quality in adolescence: The moderating effect of social anxiety. J Adolesc 2022; 95:413-426. [PMID: 36415946 DOI: 10.1002/jad.12123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Expressive flexibility, or the ability to both up- and down-regulate emotional expressions in social interactions, is thought as an indicator and a consequence of healthy interpersonal relationships. The present longitudinal study examined bidirectional associations between expressive flexibility and friendship quality in early adolescence. Since prior research found inconsistent results regarding the adaptiveness of expressive flexibility, which indicated the necessity to consider individual variability in the process, we further tested the potential moderating effect of social anxiety in the links from expressive flexibility to friendship quality. METHODS Participants from two junior high schools in eastern China (N = 274; 50.4% female; Mage = 13.56) were surveyed at three time points with 6-month intervals. Expressive flexibility, friendship quality, and social anxiety were all assessed via self-reported scales. RESULTS According to the cross-lagged model results, friendship quality significantly predicted increased expressive flexibility over time. Conversely, the longitudinal association from expressive flexibility to friendship quality was not significant, but the interaction between expressive flexibility and social anxiety significantly predicted later friendship quality. Further analyses via the Johnson-Neyman technique revealed that expressive flexibility only positively predicted friendship quality for adolescents with lower levels of social anxiety. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that expressive flexibility is not always socially adaptive, so practical interventions that aim to improve youths' social adjustment via expressive flexibility training might need to consider the role of individual characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingqian Wang
- Department of Psychology, School of Sociology and Psychology Central University of Finance and Economics Beijing China
| | - Skyler T. Hawk
- Department of Educational Psychology The Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong China
| | - Susan Branje
- Department of Youth and Family Utrecht University Utrecht The Netherlands
| | - Caspar J. Van Lissa
- Department of Methodology and Statistics Tilburg University Tilburg The Netherlands
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