Emotion regulation strategies as moderators of the relationship between negative life events and trait anxiety

Background: Anxiety commonly occurs after experiencing negative life events. However, the role of emotion regulation strategies in moderating the relationship between negative life events and anxiety remains unclear. The current study 1) examines the associations between emotion regulation strategies and trait anxiety, and 2) explores whether the relationship between negative life events and trait anxiety is moderated by emotion regulation strategies, in particular, adaptative strategies such as cognitive reappraisal.

Methods: We used data from 1384 adolescents and young adults (ages 12-27) who completed measures of negative life events, emotion regulation strategies, and trait anxiety. Emotion regulation was measured using the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale - Short Form.

Results: Multiple regression analyses showed that limited access to emotion regulation strategies, difficulty engaging in goal-directed behavior, lack of emotional awareness, lack of emotional clarity, nonacceptance of emotional responses, and use of cognitive reappraisal were associated with trait anxiety. Additionally, the positive association between negative life events and trait anxiety was moderated by difficulty engaging in goal-directed behavior and use of cognitive reappraisal. Sex differences were apparent for difficulty engaging in goal-directed behavior. Age-based analyses revealed that these interactions were specific to young adults.

Limitations: Limitations include a cross-sectional design and reliance on self-report measures.

Conclusions: Less use of adaptive emotion regulation strategies was associated with greater trait anxiety. Further, the relationship between negative life events and trait anxiety in young adults may depend on one's ability to engage in goal-directed behavior and use cognitive reappraisal.