A Comparative Study on Emotion Regulation of Older and Younger Adults

Abstract

Objectives: Healthy aging is a natural human right and emotion regulation is an important factor in improving mental health promotion in different developmental ages. This study aims to compare emotion regulation in older and younger adults. Methods & Materials: This is a causal-comparative study. The study population includes all older and younger adults in Tehran in 2019. Of these, 235 were selected using a convenience sampling method. They completed Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), Mentalized Affectivity Scale (MAS), and Emotion Regulation of Others and Self (ERO and ERS) questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using multivariate analysis of variance, independent t-test, and paired t-test in SPSS v. 20 software. Results: The scores of DERS (F= 17.08, P<0.001), ERQ (F= 16.07, P<0.001), and ERS (t = -12.2, P= 0.35) were significantly higher in older adults than younger adults, while there was no significant difference between them in MAS (t = -1.29, P= 0.198) and ERO (F= 0.256, P= 0.614) scores. Conclusion: The scores of DERS, ERS, and cognitive reappraisal subscale of ERQ are higher in older adults, but there is no significant difference between older and younger adults in the scores of MAS and ERO. Mental health professionals can take effective measures at the community level based on these findings to promote emotional health and psychological well-being of older people.