Does emotion regulation explain age differences in loneliness? Indirect and age-dependent effects across adulthood

To examine whether emotion regulation dimensions explain age-related differences in loneliness, and whether these associations differ across adulthood.

In a cross-sectional survey, 609 adults aged 18-80 years (M = 48.32, SD = 15.69; 83% women; 98% White) completed measures of loneliness, cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression, and six dimensions of emotion regulation difficulties. Parallel mediation and moderation analyses examined indirect associations between age and loneliness via eight emotion regulation variables, and whether emotion regulation-loneliness associations varied by age.

Higher age was indirectly associated with lower loneliness via cognitive reappraisal, lower emotional awareness, and fewer perceived limitations accessing regulation strategies. Associations between loneliness and limited access to strategies and impulse control difficulties became stronger with increasing age, whereas lack of emotional clarity was associated with higher loneliness at younger ages but lower loneliness in older adulthood.

Emotion regulation partially accounts for age differences in loneliness, with perceived limited access to regulation strategies the strongest pathway. Findings indicate regulatory capacity becomes more consequential for loneliness in later life, and age-sensitive consideration of emotion regulation is warranted in loneliness interventions.