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Clarity and Emotional Regulation as Protective Factors for Adolescent Well-Being: A Moderated Mediation Model Involving Depression

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Adolescent well-being is influenced by emotional regulation and clarity, particularly in contexts of depression, stress, and anxiety. OBJECTIVE: This study explores how depression mediates the relationship between emotional regulation and well-being and whether emotional clarity moderates this interaction, providing a comprehensive model to understand adolescent mental health. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 636 Chilean adolescents aged 10-18. Emotional clarity and regulation were assessed using the TMMS-24 scale, depression with the DASS-21 scale, and subjective well-being with the Personal Well-Being Index (PWI). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and moderated mediation models (PROCESS Macro, Models 4 and 7). RESULTS: < 0.01). Depression partially mediated the relationship between emotional regulation and well-being (B = 0.149, 95% CI [0.082, 0.225]), with regulation explaining 86.41% of the effect. Emotional clarity moderated the regulation-depression link, with higher clarity amplifying the protective impact of regulation (index = 0.008, 95% CI [0.0017, 0.0149]). CONCLUSIONS: Emotional regulation and clarity are vital for adolescent well-being and enhance the protective role of regulation against depression. Interventions targeting both constructs could improve mental health outcomes in vulnerable populations.

Source: European Journal of Investigation in Health Psychology and Education

DOI: 10.3390/ejihpe15070130

Authors: Jonathan Martínez-Líbano, María-Mercedes Yeomans-Cabrera, Axel Koch, Roberto Iturra Lara, Patrícia Torrijos Fincias

Institutions: Universidad Andrés Bello, University of the Americas, Universidad San Sebastián, Universidad de Salamanca

Language: English

Topic: Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,689