Internalizing symptoms such as anxiety and depression symptoms, withdrawal and somatic symptoms are among the most common psychological symptoms in childhood, adolescence and adulthood with prevalence rates of 14 to 20%. They are associated with severe impairments in various areas of life. In recent years, the role of self-regulation facets in the development of internalizing symptoms has received increasing scientific attention. These facets include basic functions (e.g. executive functions, emotional reactivity) and complex abilities (e.g. emotion regulation, planning behaviour).
Several studies suggest that lower levels of self-regulation are associated with higher internalizing symptoms. However, it is still unclear how this association can be explained. Vulnerability models, for example, assume that lower self-regulation increases the risk of later internalizing symptoms, while scar models, conversely, assume that existing internalizing symptoms impair later self-regulation. Spectrum models, on the other hand, view internalizing symptoms and self-regulation as overlapping constructs that co-develop along a similar continuum and may have common causes. Pathoplastic models assume that self-regulation influences the course and severity of internalizing symptoms. The aim of the project is to test these explanatory models in the course from middle childhood to emerging adulthood whereby various self-regulation facets are included.
The project is based on an existing longitudinal dataset with four measurement points from middle childhood to late adolescence (T1-T4: 6-10, 7-11, 9-13, 16-21 years). Starting in 2025, a fifth wave will be conducted with over 500 young adults aged 21–25. This wave will assess a wide range of self-regulation facets, including both basic and complex facets, alongside internalizing symptoms, depressive and anxiety symptoms, stressful life events, and other established risk factors. Moreover, experience sampling methods (ESM) will be employed, with a subset of participants providing multiple daily reports over two weeks on their e.g. emotion regulation strategies.
The findings from this project are expected to inform the development of targeted prevention and intervention strategies aimed at promoting healthy psychosocial development and may contribute to the development of further scientific questions.
Presentations (selection)