Emotional Awareness and Internalizing Problems: A Preliminary Test of State and Trait Associations among Adolescents Yasaman Ghafaryan shirazi, Jallu Lindblom, Raija-Leena Punamäki, Marianna Yli-Peltola & Kirsi Peltonen EJMH Vol 18, e0007 (2023) 1-12; https://doi.org/10.5708/EJMH.18.2023.0007 Received: 12 January 2022; Accepted: 27 February 2023; Online: 26 May 2023 Section: Research Papers
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Abstract
Introduction: Difficulties in emotional awareness (EA) are often linked to the risk of internalizing problems (IP). Most empirical studies have found this association but have not considered possible state- and trait-related fluctuations in EA and IP assessments.
Aims: We tested the directionality of the state-level associations, that is, whether EA at Time 1 predicts IP at Time 2 or the other way around. In line with previous research, we hypothesized that low EA would predict a subsequent increase in IP, as difficulties in emotional awareness dispose one to emotional problems. As an alternative model, we tested the trait-level associations between EA and IP. We hypothesized that a negative latent correlation exists between EA and IP, as common factors may cause them to be associated at the trait level.
Methods: Participants were 68 students who completed the Levels of Emotional Awareness Scale and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire at two-time points with a one-month interval. We used the Cross-lagged Panel Model to test the state-level associations and structural equation modeling to test trait-level effects. Results: Results displayed no directional effect of EA on IP, and neither did IP predict EA within one month. However, we found a trait-level correlation between EA and IP. We discuss the preliminary results between state and trait level EA and IP in the context of the early developmental environment.
Conclusions: This study is a preliminary test of state- and trait-level associations between EA and IP, which could be valuable for practitioners and clinicians.
Keywords
levels of emotional awareness, internalizing problems, state-trait differences, early developmental environment
Corresponding author
Yasaman Ghafaryan shirazi
Faculty of Social Sciences/Psychology, University of Tampere, Finland
yasaman.ghafaryanshirazi@tuni.fi
ygshr7@gmail.com
Co-authors
Jallu Lindblom
Faculty of Social Sciences/Psychology, University of Tampere, Finland
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4636-1226
Raija-Leena Punamäki
Faculty of Social Sciences/Psychology, University of Tampere, Finland
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4385-3073
Marianna Yli-Peltola
Mehiläinen Oy/Working Life Services, City of Pori, Finland
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5338-0201
Kirsi Peltonen
Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Finland
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5112-3823
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.