In a groundbreaking study published in BMC Psychiatry, researchers have unveiled the intricate dynamics of emotion regulation among Chinese adolescents who have endured childhood physical and emotional abuse. This study delves deeply into the often-overlooked heterogeneity of interpersonal and intrapersonal emotion regulation strategies, shedding light on their distinct psychological implications.
Adolescence is a critical period where emotional coping mechanisms take shape, profoundly influencing mental health trajectories. Previous research has frequently emphasized emotion regulation broadly but has rarely dissected the nuanced interplay between how adolescents regulate their emotions internally (intrapersonal regulation) versus how they engage others to manage their emotional states (interpersonal regulation). This study distinguishes itself by examining these dual forms within a population affected by early abuse, a group particularly vulnerable to psychological distress.
The study cohort included over three thousand middle school adolescents from Henan Province, China. Of these, nearly one thousand individuals reported experiences of childhood abuse, assessed via the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ). This large, representative sample allowed the researchers to capture a broad spectrum of abuse histories, spanning physical harm and emotional maltreatment, critical factors influencing emotional development.
To dissect emotion regulation patterns, the research utilized two sophisticated instruments: the Interpersonal Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (IRQ) to measure strategies involving social interactions, and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form (DERS-16) to evaluate intrapersonal regulatory challenges. By employing Latent Profile Analysis (LPA), the authors were able to statistically classify adolescents into distinctive subgroups based on their emotion regulation profiles rather than treating the group as monolithic.
Three discrete profiles emerged from this analysis, each characterized by different combinations of interpersonal and intrapersonal emotion regulation capabilities. The largest group, making up almost half the sample, demonstrated both low interpersonal regulation and moderate intrapersonal regulation. Another group showed the inverse pattern—high interpersonal but low intrapersonal regulation—while the third cluster balanced moderate interpersonal regulation with high levels of intrapersonal regulatory difficulties.
Strikingly, the group exhibiting high interpersonal but low intrapersonal emotion regulation reported the most severe psychological health problems. This counterintuitive finding suggests that reliance on social strategies alone, without robust internal regulation skills, may exacerbate vulnerability to mental health issues in abused adolescents. It hints at the complex interplay between seeking external support and the essential need for internal emotional mastery.
The study also identified key predictors that influenced group membership. Adolescents’ overall health status, coupled with specific adverse experiences such as being yelled at, sworn at, humiliated, or physically harmed by objects emerged as important factors shaping their emotion regulation profiles. These insights underscore the lasting imprint of early trauma on the developmental pathways of emotional coping.
The implications of these findings challenge prevailing assumptions in adolescent mental health interventions. Specifically, they highlight the overriding importance of strengthening intrapersonal emotion regulation capacities. Therapeutic programs that enhance self-awareness, emotional clarity, and effective internal emotional control could be more beneficial than relying predominantly on fostering social emotion regulation techniques in this vulnerable demographic.
Furthermore, the cultural context of Chinese adolescents provides a critical backdrop to these findings. In collectivist societies, interpersonal relationships are highly valued for emotional expression and support. Yet, this study signals that interpersonal resources might not sufficiently compensate for deficits in intrapersonal regulation, illuminating a subtle cultural nuance that can inform tailored mental health services.
In conclusion, this pioneering research advocates for a nuanced understanding of emotional regulation heterogeneity among abused adolescents. It advances the field by parsing the differential roles of interpersonal and intrapersonal processes, highlighting that internal emotional competence is a pivotal factor for psychological resilience. This work not only enriches scientific knowledge but also paves the way for culturally sensitive and more effective intervention strategies.
By harnessing advanced statistical modeling and focusing on a critical, often underserved population, this study sets a new benchmark for future research in adolescent psychology, particularly in the context of trauma. It opens hopeful pathways for clinicians, educators, and policymakers striving to mitigate the long-term psychological burdens stemming from childhood abuse.
Few studies to date have offered such an in-depth, data-driven portrait of emotional regulation patterns within the abused adolescent population. This research marks a vital step toward unraveling the complex emotional lives of young people navigating adversity with the potential to inspire transformative approaches in mental health care globally.
As the global community seeks scalable solutions to adolescent mental health crises, insights like these spotlight the imperative to prioritize intrapersonal emotional skills development, ensuring those with traumatic pasts receive the comprehensive support needed to thrive.
Subject of Research: Emotion regulation patterns among Chinese adolescents with histories of childhood physical and emotional abuse
Article Title: Heterogeneity in interpersonal and intrapersonal emotion regulation among adolescents with histories of child physical abuse and emotional abuse: a latent profile analysis
Article References:
Li, J., Hou, Y., Wang, J. et al. Heterogeneity in interpersonal and intrapersonal emotion regulation among adolescents with histories of child physical abuse and emotional abuse: a latent profile analysis. BMC Psychiatry 25, 1056 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07490-z
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07490-z
Keywords: adolescent mental health, emotion regulation, childhood abuse, interpersonal emotion regulation, intrapersonal emotion regulation, latent profile analysis, psychological resilience, trauma, Chinese adolescents
