Perceived emotional invalidation, emotion regulation, depression, and attachment in adults: A moderated-mediation analysis

The aim of this study was to provide further evidence on the association between emotional invalidation and depression and to examine if emotion regulation contributes to explain this association. Additionally, the moderating role of attachment orientation was explored. Understanding the role played by these mechanisms on this link can contribute to improve psychological/clinical interventions. A convenience sample of 234 adults from Portugal (76.5% women; Mage = 37.10) were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants were recruited online through posts on social media. Multiple mediation models were running using process macro. Our findings showed that emotion communication (ss = .06; 95% CI [.025, .100]) and rumination (ss = .03; 95% CI [.008, .063]) partially mediated the association between perceived current emotional invalidation and depression. Emotion suppression only act as mediator for those with higher levels of attachment avoidance (index of moderated mediation = .02, 95% CI [.003, .058]). These results suggest that emotional invalidation perceived in current interpersonal interactions is directly associated with more depressive symptoms and indirectly associated with it through difficulties in emotion regulation. Future research across other disorders and contexts is needed.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between emotional invalidation and depression, as well as the role of emotion regulation in this association. The findings showed that emotion communication and rumination partially mediated the relationship between perceived emotional invalidation and depression. Additionally, emotion suppression only acted as a mediator for individuals with higher levels of attachment avoidance.