The network and core dimensions of individual emotion regulation competency in late adolescence: A study based on longitudinal network analysis

Abstract

Adolescents often exhibit significant emotional fluctuations. However, it remains unclear how the emotion regulation competencies of individuals in late adolescence evolve and the temporal relationships of their constituent elements. To explore the temporal changes in the network of emotion regulation competency and its core dimensions in late adolescents, this study conducted two follow-up surveys from November 2023 to May 2024, with a 6-month interval. Ultimately, valid data from 450 non-graduating high school students in China (M_age = 16.77, SD = .68) were analysed using longitudinal network analysis. The results indicate that although the overall mean scores slightly improved, the network structure and global strength remained stable over time. Centrality analysis indicates that Negative-Controlling experience is consistently the core dimension of the emotion regulation competency network in late adolescence, while Negative-Inhibiting behaviour serves as a key bridging dimension connecting the positive and negative sub-networks. Moreover, the importance of positive and negative emotion regulation competencies in the network is comparable, and their relative roles remain stable over time. These findings clarify the core and key bridging dimensions of the emotion regulation competency network in late adolescence and emphasize its cross-time stability.