Emotion Regulation and Positivity Impairment in the Everyday Life of Socially Anxious Adolescents – An Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) Study

Achilleas Tsarpalis-Fragkoulidis, David Kolar (Corresponding author), Carmen Schneckenreiter, Martina Zemp

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

Abstract: Theoretical Background: Social anxiety during adolescence is often linked to deficits in emotion regulation, which can contribute to heightened negative affect and diminished positive affect in everyday life. Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether three emotion regulation strategies—acceptance, suppression, and rumination—mediate the relationship between social anxiety and daily affect in adolescents. Method: A sample of 47 adolescents completed ecological momentary assessments over 14 days. Social anxiety was assessed as a trait, while daily positive and negative affect as well as emotion regulation strategies were measured multiple times per day. Results: Multilevel structural equation models showed that social anxiety was significantly associated with lower acceptance of positive and negative emotions, higher suppression of negative emotions, and increased rumination. Acceptance of positive emotions mediated the link between social anxiety and reduced positive affect, while rumination mediated the link with negative affect. Discussion and Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of addressing both positive and negative emotional experiences and their regulation in the field of social anxiety in adolescents.
Original languageEnglish
JournalKindheit und Entwicklung: Zeitschrift für klinische Kinderpsychologie
Publication statusSubmitted - 10 Nov 2024

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 501009 Child and adolescent psychology
  • 501010 Clinical psychology

Keywords

  • SOCIAL ANXIETY
  • EMOTION REGULATION
  • positivity impairment
  • ADOLESCENCE
  • ECOLOGICAL MOMENTARY ASSESSMENT

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