Reciprocal associations between general psychopathology and emotion regulation from adolescence to adulthood

Emotion regulation (ER) is central to most mental health difficulties. However, we know less about the impact of mental health on ER, particularly during vulnerable developmental periods. This study examines longitudinal associations between ER strategies and general psychopathology from adolescence to adulthood, distinguishing between- and within-person effects across 1 and 13 years. Norwegian adolescents ( N = 2,464, 51% female, mean age = 13.7) were followed into adulthood ( N = 1,266, 56.7% female, mean age = 27.2). Five ER strategies, including rumination, reactive impulsivity, non-acceptance, problem-solving, and seeking social support, were assessed. Using Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Models, within-person analyses revealed that more than usual psychopathology predicted more than usual rumination, reactive impulsivity, and non-acceptance 1 year later. Only more than usual reactivity reciprocally predicted more than usual psychopathology 1 year later. More than usual psychopathology during adolescence predicted less social support seeking than usual during adulthood, and more social support seeking than usual during adolescence predicted fewer symptoms of psychopathology than usual during adulthood. There were no significant associations between problem-solving and psychopathology. We found reciprocal and unidirectional associations between general psychopathology and ER strategies, highlighting ER as both a risk and protective factor, but also illuminating the role general psychopathology has on ER.