Validating the emotion regulation questionnaire (ERQ) in Trinidad

Objective: This paper examined the psychometric properties of the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ; Gross and John 2003) in an adult lifespan Trinidadian sample. Validity and reliability of the ERQ has been established in predominantly, White, European, developed countries, but never in a Caribbean under-developed country, like Trinidad. Method: One hundred and ninety-one participants, aged 18 to 81 years-old, were recruited from university and community settings. As part of a larger study, participants filled out a demographics questionnaire, followed by the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the ERQ, and the Big Five Inventory (BFI), which assess affective responding, emotion regulation, and personality, respectively. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis was used and the two-factor structure of the ERQ was replicated (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression were the two subscales). The measure was reliable. Age, gender, personality, and affective responding were used to determine concurrent and discriminant validity. Age was the only variable that did not follow expected patterns. Older adults used suppression more often than expected. Conclusion: The ERQ was determined to be a valid and reliable measure of emotion regulation for Trinidadians. However, sociohistorical circumstances may need to be considered when using the ERQ in Trinidad where suppression may be an adaptive emotion regulation strategy.