Self-esteem and Cognitive Emotion Regulation of Young Adults in Bangladesh

Abstract

The present study investigated the relationship between self-esteem and cognitive emotion regulation strategies of young adults in Bangladesh. A sample of 150 (80 male & 70 female)young adults, age ranged was19-27 (M = 21.2, SD = 2.96) years, were selected purposively from different public university of Dhaka City in Bangladesh. In order to measure the variables, a self-developed demographic questionnaire, adapted Bangla version of cognitive emotion regulation scale(Garnefski, Hossain, & Kraaij, 2017)and self-esteem scale(Ilyas & Huque, 2007) were administrated on the respondents. The cognitive emotion regulation scale has 9 subscales: positive refocusing, refocus on planning, positive reappraisal, putting into perspective, acceptance, self-blame, rumination, catastrophizing, and other blame. Obtained data were analyzed using descriptive and correlational analyses through SPSS version 20. The highest and lowest mean scores of cognitive emotion regulation strategies were positive reappraisal (M = 13.69) and blame other (M = 9.71) respectively used by young adults. Results indicated that there were significant positive correlations among self-esteem and positive refocusing (r = 0.293, p<.01); refocus on planning (r = 0.165, p<.05); positive reappraisal (r = 0.233, p<.01) and putting into perspective (r = 0.240, p<.01).The findings also revealed significant negative correlation exist between self- esteem and acceptance (r = -0.162, p<.05), self-blame (r = -0.197, p<.05); rumination (r = -0.350, p<.01), catastrophizing (r = -0.382, p<.01), and other blame (r = -0.180, p<.05). Further, the finding also indicated that high and low self-esteemed adults were used reappraisal and worry focused strategies. Therefore, self-esteem of adults may be improved through psychological intervention.