Emotional Regulation as a Predictor of Psychological Identity Styles among Adolescents

Abstract

The study aimed to identify the level of emotional regulation and psychological identity styles among adolescents. It also identified emotional regulation as a predictor of psychological identity styles in adolescents. To achieve the aim of the study, the descriptive correlational approach was used. The study sample consisted of 645 male and female students, randomly selected from adolescent students in secondary and preparatory schools in Nazareth District inside The Green Line in the first semester of the academic year 2022/2023. The results showed that the level of the dimensions of emotional regulation (cognitive reappraisal and suppression) among adolescents in Nazareth District inside The Green Line was moderate from the point of view of the study sample. The informational identity style came in the first rank with (45.4%) of the study sample, and their scores for this style were higher than their scores for the other two styles. Then, the normative identity style was followed by (30.1%) of the study sample. The diffuse/avoidant identity style came in third and last place with (24.5%) of the study sample. The results also showed a statistically significant predictive ability between the informational, normative, and diffuse/avoidant psychological identity styles with emotional regulation dimensions (cognitive reappraisal and suppression). The study recommended that students be encouraged to adopt the informational identity style, especially since the study results revealed a positive relationship between this style and emotional regulation. It also recommended training students with a diffuse/avoidant identity style on emotional regulation, especially since the study results revealed a negative relationship between emotional regulation and the diffuse/avoidant identity style.