Cross-cultural validation of the Persian version of Difficulties in Interpersonal Regulation of Emotions (DIRE) questionnaire in the Iranian population

Background. Given the critical role of interpersonal emotion regulation in psychological well-being and psychotherapy research, the present study aimed to examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the questionnaire Difficulties in Interpersonal Regulation of Emotions (DIRE) questionnaire in an Iranian population Methods. This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from August to October 2024 among residents of Zanjan city. Participants (N = 593) were recruited using convenience sampling through an online announcement distributed via social media. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to assess construct validity, and the average variance extracted (AVE) was used for the assessment of convergent validity. Reliability was evaluated using composite reliability and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha). Criterion validity was assessed through correlations with the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Results. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) supported a four-factor structure of the questionnaire for both interpersonal and intrapersonal emotion regulation strategies. Fit indices indicated a good model fit. Composite reliability and Cronbach’s alpha were found to be 0.93 and 0.70, respectively, indicating acceptable reliability. The average variance extracted (AVE) was 0.71 for interpersonal emotion regulation and 0.70 for intrapersonal regulation. Conclusion. The 24-item Persian version of the DIRE demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability in the Iranian population and cultural context, making it a suitable tool for research and clinical applications. Practical Implications. This instrument can aid in the early identification of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, inform treatment planning, and monitor therapeutic progress. It is especially useful in clinical settings for designing targeted interventions for individuals facing challenges in emotion regulation.