Comparing Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Emotion Regulation Models in Explaining Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in College Students

Abstract

Objectives: Emotion regulation is an important transdiagnostic construct and one of the main and underlying dimensions in emotional disorders. This study aims to compare interpersonal and intrapersonal models of emotion regulation in explaining depression and anxiety symptoms in college students. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Participants were 517 students of public universities in Tehran, Iran who were selected using multi-stage cluster sampling method. They completed the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Interpersonal Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and short form of Symptom Checklist (SCL-25). Results: Intrapersonal and interpersonal emotion regulation models had a significant role in explaining depression and anxiety symptoms, where the intrapersonal emotion regulation model had a significant and stronger effect in predicting depression and anxiety symptoms (P<0.01). Conclusion: Both intrapersonal and interpersonal emotion regulation models have a role in explaining depression and anxiety symptoms and can be effective in predicting and treating emotional disorders.