The relationship between emotion regulation and mental health in adolescents: Self-compassion as a moderator

Background

Emotion regulation and self-compassion play important roles in shaping mental health and wellbeing. However, no studies to date have explored how these constructs may interact in the general adolescent population. This study examined the associations between different dimensions of self-compassion (compassionate self-responding and uncompassionate self-responding), emotion regulation (cognitive reappraisal and expression suppression) and mental health (depression and anxiety symptoms) among adolescents. It also examined whether self-compassion components moderate the relationships between emotion regulation and mental health symptoms.

Method

Data used in this study is drawn from a clustered RCT of a mental health prevention program conducted across nine Australian high schools. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to test whether self-compassion and emotion regulation strategies are significant predictors of anxiety and depression scores. Interactions between emotion regulation and self-compassion on anxiety and depression scores were also examined.

Results

752 Australian adolescents were included in the study (M_age = 13.83, SD = 0.78). Cognitive reappraisal and compassionate self-responding negatively predicted anxiety and depression scores, while expressive suppression and uncompassionate self-responding positively predicted these outcomes. Compassionate self-responding and uncompassionate self-responding differentially moderated the relationships between emotion regulation strategies and anxiety and depression scores.

Conclusion

The current study is the first to show the key role of self-compassion within adolescents’ emotion regulation framework. Future research should examine self-compassion and emotion regulation together as potential intervention targets for adolescents.