Network analysis of emotion regulation and reactivity in adolescents: identifying central components and implications for anxiety and depression interventions

Difficulties in emotion regulation (DER) and emotion reactivity (ER) are important causes and consequences of psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety, and previous research suggests that there are many interactions between them. Understanding the structure of their relationship, and which components may play a key role, will help provide insight into emotion disorders in adolescents and provide guidance for clinical interventions. In this study, we collected data from 483 adolescents and used network analysis methods to explore the relationship between DER and ER, specifically looking for core nodes. The results showed that limited access to emotion regulation strategies was the most central node in the network. Furthermore, by adding nodes for depression and anxiety to this network, we found that anxiety had the strongest relationship with ER, while depression had a stronger relationship with DER. Thus, our findings suggest that for anxiety disorders, the strong association with ER highlights a potentially promising area for intervention development, whereas for depression, the association with DER points to the possibility of clarifying emotions and exploring coping strategies, acknowledging the complex interplay between depressive and anxious symptoms.

Automated summary

Difficulties in emotion regulation (DER) and emotion reactivity (ER) are closely related to psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. This study used network analysis methods to explore the relationship between DER and ER and identified core nodes. The findings suggest that limited access to emotion regulation strategies is the most central node. Furthermore, anxiety showed the strongest relationship with ER, while depression had a stronger relationship with DER. This highlights the potential for intervention development in the area of ER for anxiety disorders and the importance of clarifying emotions and exploring coping strategies for depression, while acknowledging the complex interplay between depressive and anxious symptoms.