Emotion regulation among Chinese and German children and adolescents: a binational comparative study

Abstract Emotion regulation has been a central research topic in developmental psychology and psychopathology for several decades. Habitual use of adaptive (e.g., cognitive reappraisal) or maladaptive strategies expressive suppression) may influence psychosocial adjustment children adolescents. Despite consensus on the culture emotion regulation, little is known about cultural differences In this study, Regulation Questionnaire Children Adolescents (ERQ-CA) was used tested its measurement invariance between Chinese German Cultural similarities reappraisal suppression were examined, as well associations these with behavior problems prosocial behavior. The sample consisted 765 431 students ( M age = 12.46 years, SD 1.12). Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis revealed partial scalar ERQ-CA. A latent mean comparison showed more frequent both compared to students. results multi-group structural equation model similar patterns relationships youth across groups. Cognitive associated fewer behavior, whereas related problems. summary, current findings indicate that ERQ-CA allows comparisons Furthermore, relevance context promotion highlighted.