Dysregulation of positive emotions across community, clinical and forensic samples using the Italian version of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale -Positive (DERS-Positive)

Literature mainly focuses on the role of dysregulation of negative emotions whereas the topic of dysregulation of positive emotions has been widely neglected. This study aims to explore levels of dysregulation of positive emotions across community, clinical and forensic samples. The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale – Positive (DERS-Positive) was administered to a total sample of 1044 participants, divided in 497 community participants (Mage = 39.18 years), 464 forensic individuals (Mage = 39.36 years), and 83 individuals diagnosed with Bipolar disorder (Mage = 47.26 years). The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) were administered to a subsample of community participants (n = 105). Confirmatory Factor Analyses supported the three-factor structure of the DERS- Positive in both clinical and non-clinical samples. Correlations between DERS-Positive, DERS and TAS-20 scores indicated a good construct validity of the DERS- Positive. We found that the three groups significantly differed from each other on DERS-Positive total scores. Individuals with Bipolar disorders showed higher levels of dysregulation of positive emotions compared to both offenders and community participants. Offenders scored higher on the DERS- Positive compared to community participants. Dysregulation of positive emotions is an often overlooked yet relevant construct that may account for maladaptive behavior and psychopathology.