Emotional Awareness and Internalizing Problems. A Preliminary Test of State and Trait Associations among Adolescents
Introduction: Difficulties in emotional awareness (EA) are often linked to the risk of internalizing problems (IP). Most empirical studies have found this association but have not considered possible state- and trait-related fluctuations in EA and IP assessments. Aims: We tested the directionality o...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Semmelweis University Institute of Mental Health
2023-05-01
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| Series: | European Journal of Mental Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://semmelweis.hu/ejmh/2023/05/25/emotional-awareness-and-internalizing-problems/ |
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| author | Yasaman Ghafaryan shirazi Jallu Lindblom Raija-Leena Punamäki Marianna Yli-Peltola Kirsi Peltonen |
| author_facet | Yasaman Ghafaryan shirazi Jallu Lindblom Raija-Leena Punamäki Marianna Yli-Peltola Kirsi Peltonen |
| author_sort | Yasaman Ghafaryan shirazi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Difficulties in emotional awareness (EA) are often linked to
the risk of internalizing problems (IP). Most empirical studies have found
this association but have not considered possible state- and trait-related
fluctuations in EA and IP assessments.
Aims: We tested the directionality of the state-level associations, that is,
whether EA at Time 1 predicts IP at Time 2 or the other way around. In
line with previous research, we hypothesized that low EA would predict a
subsequent increase in IP, as difficulties in emotional awareness dispose one
to emotional problems. As an alternative model, we tested the trait-level
associations between EA and IP. We hypothesized that a negative latent
correlation exists between EA and IP, as common factors may cause them
to be associated at the trait level.
Methods: Participants were 68 students who completed the Levels of Emotional
Awareness Scale and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire at
two-time points with a one-month interval. We used the Cross-lagged Panel
Model to test the state-level associations and structural equation modeling
to test trait-level effects.
Results: Results displayed no directional effect of EA on IP, and neither
did IP predict EA within one month. However, we found a trait-level correlation
between EA and IP. We discuss the preliminary results between
state and trait level EA and IP in the context of the early developmental
environment.
Conclusions: This study is a preliminary test of state- and trait-level associations
between EA and IP, which could be valuable for practitioners
and clinicians. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T02:34:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cc0d009c8b4b4659b2c5cf695899cdbd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1788-7119 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T02:34:38Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | Semmelweis University Institute of Mental Health |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of Mental Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-cc0d009c8b4b4659b2c5cf695899cdbd2023-06-29T09:55:00ZengSemmelweis University Institute of Mental HealthEuropean Journal of Mental Health1788-71192023-05-01180007112https://doi.org/10.5708/EJMH.18.2023.0007Emotional Awareness and Internalizing Problems. A Preliminary Test of State and Trait Associations among AdolescentsYasaman Ghafaryan shirazi0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0108-4221Jallu Lindblom1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4636-1226Raija-Leena Punamäki2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4385-3073Marianna Yli-Peltola3https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5338-0201Kirsi Peltonen4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5112-3823Faculty of Social Sciences/Psychology, University of Tampere, FinlandFaculty of Social Sciences/Psychology, University of Tampere, FinlandFaculty of Social Sciences/Psychology, University of Tampere, FinlandMehiläinen Oy/Working Life Services, City of Pori, FinlandResearch Centre for Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, FinlandIntroduction: Difficulties in emotional awareness (EA) are often linked to the risk of internalizing problems (IP). Most empirical studies have found this association but have not considered possible state- and trait-related fluctuations in EA and IP assessments. Aims: We tested the directionality of the state-level associations, that is, whether EA at Time 1 predicts IP at Time 2 or the other way around. In line with previous research, we hypothesized that low EA would predict a subsequent increase in IP, as difficulties in emotional awareness dispose one to emotional problems. As an alternative model, we tested the trait-level associations between EA and IP. We hypothesized that a negative latent correlation exists between EA and IP, as common factors may cause them to be associated at the trait level. Methods: Participants were 68 students who completed the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire at two-time points with a one-month interval. We used the Cross-lagged Panel Model to test the state-level associations and structural equation modeling to test trait-level effects. Results: Results displayed no directional effect of EA on IP, and neither did IP predict EA within one month. However, we found a trait-level correlation between EA and IP. We discuss the preliminary results between state and trait level EA and IP in the context of the early developmental environment. Conclusions: This study is a preliminary test of state- and trait-level associations between EA and IP, which could be valuable for practitioners and clinicians.https://semmelweis.hu/ejmh/2023/05/25/emotional-awareness-and-internalizing-problems/levels of emotional awareness internalizing problems state-trait differences early developmental environment |
| spellingShingle | Yasaman Ghafaryan shirazi Jallu Lindblom Raija-Leena Punamäki Marianna Yli-Peltola Kirsi Peltonen Emotional Awareness and Internalizing Problems. A Preliminary Test of State and Trait Associations among Adolescents European Journal of Mental Health levels of emotional awareness internalizing problems state-trait differences early developmental environment |
| title | Emotional Awareness and Internalizing Problems. A Preliminary Test of State and Trait Associations among Adolescents |
| title_full | Emotional Awareness and Internalizing Problems. A Preliminary Test of State and Trait Associations among Adolescents |
| title_fullStr | Emotional Awareness and Internalizing Problems. A Preliminary Test of State and Trait Associations among Adolescents |
| title_full_unstemmed | Emotional Awareness and Internalizing Problems. A Preliminary Test of State and Trait Associations among Adolescents |
| title_short | Emotional Awareness and Internalizing Problems. A Preliminary Test of State and Trait Associations among Adolescents |
| title_sort | emotional awareness and internalizing problems a preliminary test of state and trait associations among adolescents |
| topic | levels of emotional awareness internalizing problems state-trait differences early developmental environment |
| url | https://semmelweis.hu/ejmh/2023/05/25/emotional-awareness-and-internalizing-problems/ |
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