The Interconnected Nature of Emotion Regulation, Emotion-Related Impulsivity and Psychopathology in Adolescents: A Network Study

Adolescence is a critical developmental period where the risk of emotion-related impulsivity (ERI), challenges in emotion regulation (ER), and mental health difficulties increase. Dual-process models propose that individuals respond to emotions either reflexively (automatically) or reflectively (deliberately), with implications for mental health. We applied network analysis using a Gaussian Graphical Model to examine associations between reflexive and reflective emotional responses and symptoms of internalizing, externalizing, and thought problem difficulties in a community sample of adolescents (N = 918; Mage = 13.97, SD = 0.93; 54.60% female). We subsequently quantified multiple centrality metrics (strength, bridge strength, and bridge expected influence). Reflexive ER and ERI nodes exhibited the most and strongest associations with symptom nodes across internalizing, externalizing and thought problems. The strongest association linked having limited access to ER strategies with feeling down and depressed. Reflective ER nodes were also interconnected with symptoms of psychopathology, with the strongest association being between more emotional control and less feeling bad or not liking oneself. Numerous associations were also observed across reflective and reflexive nodes. We identified several nodes with high strength and bridge centrality. The results suggest that responding reflexively may reflect a transdiagnostic risk factor and emotional control may be a key protective factor with respect to mental health difficulties. While future studies are needed to determine causality in observed associations, our findings are indicative of the relevance of various aspects of emotional responses for mental health difficulties in adolescence that may be particularly useful targets in intervention and prevention efforts.