Validation of the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire in University Students of Córdoba, Argentina

Abstract

The Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) is a scale developed to evaluate the cognitive processes that individuals use after experiencing a negative event. The aim of the present study was to validate the CERQ in university students of the province of Cordoba, Argentina. After translating the items, a pilot test was performed, and subsequently the scale was administrated to 359 students accidentally selected. Through confirmatory factor analysis, the original model of 9 factors was compared with an alternative second-order factor model (adaptive and maladaptive strategies). The 9 dimensions model presented a better fit, which improved when re-specifying 2 items. Results suggest that the cognitive emotion regulation strategies would be better explained when considering them in a differentiated way instead of as a set of strategies grouped based on their adaptability. The indexes of internal consistency obtained are acceptable and similar to those reported in precedent studies and the evidences of test-criteria relationships, obtained by correlating the scores of CERQ with measures of Positive Emotions, Negative Emotions and Emotional Interference, were theoretically coherent.