Developmental change in cognitive emotion regulation profiles in the transition from childhood to adolescence

A person-centered approach studying cognitive emotion regulation profiles rather than single strategies can shed light on adaptive and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation in youths. This study extends previous research by examining self-reported cognitive emotion regulation profiles not only cross-sectionally but also longitudinally, in the transition from childhood to adolescence. To examine the adaptive or maladaptive nature of the profiles, cross-sectional associations with parent-reported internalizing problems were tested in a subsample. Data came from a 3-wave longitudinal project on Dutch youths (Wave 1: N = 526, mean age = 10.1 years). Youths and parents completed questionnaires yearly. Latent Profile Analyses revealed three profiles at each wave: (1) a “Generally low” profile, consisting of little use of all cognitive emotion regulation strategies, (2) a “High adaptive, low maladaptive” profile, and (3) a “Low adaptive, high maladaptive” profile. Latent Profile Transition Analyses showed substantial stability in profiles over time but also transitions; most towards a less adaptive profile, some towards a more adaptive profile. The maladaptive nature of the third profile was confirmed by cross-sectional associations with parent-reported internalizing problems (at Wave 1 and 2 but not Wave 3). The results showing profile transitions in some youths may yield insights into the development of cognitive emotion regulation abilities.