The cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire: factorial, convergent, and criterion validity analyses of the full and short versions

Aim Emotion regulation (ER) theories and measurement scales have received considerable attention in clinical and research settings. However, there is a need for independent validation of these scales to ensure rigor within this field. The aim of the current study was to examine the factorial, convergent, and criterion validity of one of the most popular measures of ER, the Cognitive Emotion Regulations Questionnaire (CERQ), both short and long form. Methods The CERQ (and CERQ-short), positive and negative affect schedule, and difficulties in emotion regulation scale were administered to 795 participants (70% female, M age = 36.36). Results Confirmatory factor analysis supported the 9-factor structure of the CERQ-short, but not the full CERQ. Adequate fit for the full CERQ was achieved after the removal of three poorly performing items. Correlations supported the convergent and criterion validity of both scales, although the CERQ-short demonstrated weaker associations than the full scale. Conclusions The factorial, convergent, and criterion validity of the CERQ and CERQ-short were generally supported. However, future research may wish to examine several high inter-factor correlations that were observed among the full CERQ, as well as the weaker validity demonstrated by the CERQ-short