Identifying and validating emotion regulation latent profiles and their relationship with affective variables

Objective We investigated and validated the presence of emotion regulation profiles in an adult sample. Method In a cross-sectional study, 1165 individuals completed the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), and Following Affective States Test (FAST). Sample was divided into three to establish and validate emotion regulation profiles using a latent profile analysis. Results Sample 1 (n = 375) showed three different profiles: dysregulated, adapted, and unaware regulator. Sample 2 (n = 390) shows a consistent pattern with the same number of profiles that remained stable over time. In Sample 3 (n = 400), we validate and find that cognitive reappraisal and lack of awareness were essential to differentiating profiles. Conclusions Three emotional regulation profiles differ due to the levels of positive/negative affect and the propensity to avoid/follow emotions, increasing the understanding of how different regulatory strategies interact and explain different outcomes with mental health.