Factorial and construct validity of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) in an Australian sample

ABSTRACT Objective The Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) is a 36-item self-report measure of nine emotion regulation strategies, extensively used in research. Despite widespread use, the instrument’s factor structure has not been investigated in an Australian sample, and some international scholars have questioned the factorial validity of the English translation. This study examined the CERQ’s psychometric properties in an Australian community sample. Method A sample of 781 Australian adults completed an online questionnaire consisting of demographic information, the CERQ, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Results Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the original nine-factor model was not a good fit for the sample data, and a seven-factor model emerged as the best solution. The study investigated the construct validity of the seven-factor model by examining the relationship to self-reported psychological distress (DASS-21). Correlational and regression analysis supported construct validity; however, correlational results for the acceptance subscale suggest conceptual ambiguity. Conclusion The results demonstrate that a more parsimonious seven-factor model, rather than the proposed nine- and five-factor solutions, was the best fit for our data and suggest the factor structure of the CERQ may vary significantly between samples. Key Points What is already known about this topic: The Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) is a popular measure of emotion regulation that is used in both research and practice. The CERQ has been validated in other language translations, but there are few studies that examine the psychometric properties of the English translation. The subscales of the CERQ have been grouped into maladaptive and adaptive strategies. What this topic adds: Despite widespread use, this study represents the first known attempt to validate the factor structure of the CERQ in an Australian sample. This study examined multiple possible factor structures of the English translation of the CERQ based on previous research, and a novel seven-factor solution emerged as the best fit for the data. Maladaptive coping strategies were associated with higher levels of psychological distress, although only one of the adaptive strategies was related to lower levels of psychological distress.