Multiple Mediation of Emotion Regulation Strategies in the Relationship between Loneliness and Positivity in Adolescents

Abstract

The current study aims to investigate the parallel multiple mediation role of emotion regulation strategies in the relationship between adolescents’ loneliness and their positivity. Participants consisted of a total of 300 high school students (F= 146, 48.7%; M= 154, 51.3%) who attended to a high schools in Adıyaman during 2014-2015 academic years. The participating students were 14-19 year-old with a mean age of 15.51 (SD= 1.09). Data were collected through the Short-Form of UCLA Loneliness Scale, Emotion Regulation Scale for Adolescents, Positivity Scale, and the Personal Information Form. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficient were used in the analysis of research data. The mediation effect of model tested in the research was examined for statistical significance with an approach based on Ordinary Least Squares Regression and Bootstrap Method. The research findings showed that the mediation role of internal-functional emotion regulation, internal-dysfunctional emotion regulation, and external-functional emotion regulation in the relationship between adolescents’ loneliness and positivity was statistically significant. The mediation role of external-dysfunctional emotion regulation, on the other hand, was not found to be statistically significant. Findings were discussed within the relevant literature, and suggestions for researchers were put forward.