Emotionsregulation im Kindes- und Jugendalter: Konzeptdefinition, entwicklungsspezifische Diagnostik und Psychopathologie

The aim of this doctoral thesis was to consider emotion regulation (ER) with a developmental perspective and to examine ER in internalizing disorders. An own definition provided a basis for further analyses (study I). A systematic review showed that ER diagnoses are more satisfactory in late childhood compared to infancy or toddlerhood (study II). Literature revealed limited findings for the relationship between ER and internalizing disorders (study III). Study IV examined ER as a mechanism in the relation between attachment and depression in 248 adolescents. Results showed gender-specific mediation by dysfunctional ER. Refinements of conceptual models can be derived. Study V compared matched samples of adolescents with anxiety disorders(n = 20), depression (n = 20) or without mental disorders (n = 20) in their ER. Anxious and depressive adolescents showed more dysfunctional ER than their healthy peers. Dysfunctional ER marks a transdiagnostic factor of internalizing disorders.