Emotion Regulation Profiles and Their Association with Psychological Functioning: A Latent Profile Analysis Across Two Age-Differentiated Samples

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to identify emotion regulation (ER) profiles in two age-differentiated samples and examine their association with psychological functioning, while investigating the predictive role of attachment in profile membership. Methods One sample with 384 emerging adults (Mage = 22.66; SD = 3.00; 79% women) and one sample with 216 primarily middle-aged adults (Mage = 45.21; SD = 8.53; 74% women) were used. Results Three profiles were identified within each sample; two profiles were consistent, while one profile differed. In Sample 1, the profiles were (1) ‘ Suppressive Regulators’ , (2) ‘ Mixed Regulators’ , and (3) ‘ Expressive Regulators’ . In Sample 2, an ‘Adaptive Regulators’ profile replaced the ‘Suppressive Regulators’ profile. ‘ Suppressive Regulators’ in Sample 1 and ‘Mixed Regulators’ in Sample 2 showed higher levels of depression, anxiety, stress, whereas ‘Expressive Regulators’ demonstrated lower levels of these dimensions. In Sample 1, both attachment significantly predicted profile membership, with higher insecure attachment increasing the likelihood of belonging to the ‘Suppressive Regulators’ profile. In Sample 2, only attachment avoidance emerged as a significant predictor. Conclusions These findings highlight the importance of identifying unique ER profiles due its impact on psychological functioning, considering developmental stages and underscore the role of attachment dimensions in shaping regulatory patterns.