Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
Published on: February 11, 2017
Socialization of emotion regulation strategies through friends
Marion Reindl1, Burkhard Gniewosz2, Heinz Reinders3
1Department of Psychology, University of Augsburg, Germany.
Abstract:
This study examines the effects of best friends' emotion regulation strategies (regarding the emotions anger, fear, and sadness) on the development of adolescents' emotion regulation strategies and subsequent depressive symptoms. Based on a two-wave longitudinal sample of 238 German adolescents, true change analyses showed positive effects of best friends' adaptive strategies (T1) on the change of adolescents' adaptive strategies (T2 - T1) for anger and fear. Best friends' adaptive strategies (T1) indirectly influence the development of maladaptive strategies (T2 - T1) through the change of adaptive strategies (T2 - T1) and, in turn, the development of depressive symptoms (T2 - T1; two-step mediation). Best friends' adaptive strategies for sadness did not have an effect on adolescents' adaptive strategies. In contrast to adaptive strategies, none of the friends' maladaptive strategies affected adolescents' maladaptive strategies. The results are discussed in terms of peer influences on the development of emotion regulation strategies and psychosocial adjustment.
Related Concept Videos
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
Role of Emotions in Social Life
Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused
Causes of Social Behavior I: Actions and Characteristics of Individuals

