Measures of emotion reactivity and emotion regulation: Convergent and discriminant validity. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zelkowitz, Rachel L.; Cole, David A.
• Is Part Of: Personality and individual differences. Volume 102(2016)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 132
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: Emotion regulation -- Emotion reactivity -- Coping -- Psychometrics -- Validity; Personality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Personality Development -- Periodicals; Personnalité -- Périodiques; Individualité -- Périodiques; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2016.06.045
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-8869

Abstract

Abstract: Emotion reactivity and emotion regulation are salient constructs in theories of emotion and emotion disorders; however, little is known about the convergent and discriminant validity of instruments used to measure them. The current paper examines the validity of four emotion-regulation and three emotion-reactivity instruments (with a total of 27 subscales) across three independent samples of university students (total N = 715). Eight subscales from a coping instrument were also examined. Confirmatory factor analysis failed to show the expected patterns of convergent and discriminant validity; however, exploratory factor analysis revealed three different factors, reflecting out-of-control negative emotion, emotion awareness and expression, and cognitive strategies for emotion regulation. Results have implications for both basic emotions research and clinical science. Highlights: Self-report emotion regulation, reactivity measures do not show convergent validity. Regulation, reactivity measures do not show discriminant validity. Exploratory factor analysis shows three factors. Factors reflect uncontrolled emotion, awareness/expression, cognitive strategies.