Evaluating the Factor Structure of the Emotion Dysregulation Scale-Short (EDS-s): A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Emotion dysregulation (ED) can be considered a psychopathological transdiagnostic dimension, the presence of which should be reliably screened in clinical settings. The aim of the current study was to validate the Italian version of the Emotion Dysregulation Scale-short (EDS-s), a brief self-report tool assessing emotion dysregulation, in a non-clinical sample of 1087 adults (768 women and 319 men). We also assessed its convergent validity with scales measuring binge eating and general psychopathology. Structural equation modeling suggested the fit of a one-factor model refined with correlations between the errors of three pairs of items (χ2 = 255.56, df = 51, p < 0.001, RMSEA = 0.08, CFI = 0.94, TLI = 0.93, SRMR = 0.04). The EDS-s demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency (ordinal alpha = 0.94). Moreover, EDS-s scores partly explained the variance of both binge eating (0.35, p < 0.001) and general psychopathology (0.60, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the EDS-s can be considered to be a reliable and valid measure of ED.

Exploring the Emotional Dysregulation Scale-Short Form in isolated, confined, and extreme environments

“…The EDS-S retained the seven-point Likert scale, with items assessing the domains of emotional experiencing ('emotions overwhelm me'), cognition ('when I'm upset, everything feels like a disaster'), and behaviour ('when my emotions are strong, I often make bad decisions') and higher scores indicating higher ED. High internal consistency for the EDS-S has been reported (Mandavia et al, 2016;Michopoulos et al, 2015;Powers et al, 2015;Raimondi et al, 2022). The EDS-S demonstrated a significant correlation with DERS, and appeared predictive of depressive symptoms, PTSD symptoms, alcohol abuse, borderline personality disorder, general psychopathology, suicidality and psychiatric hospitalisation, and was negatively associated with positive affect and resilient coping (Mandavia et al, 2016;Michopoulos et al, 2015;Powers et al, 2015;Raimondi et al, 2022).…”

“…High internal consistency for the EDS-S has been reported (Mandavia et al, 2016;Michopoulos et al, 2015;Powers et al, 2015;Raimondi et al, 2022). The EDS-S demonstrated a significant correlation with DERS, and appeared predictive of depressive symptoms, PTSD symptoms, alcohol abuse, borderline personality disorder, general psychopathology, suicidality and psychiatric hospitalisation, and was negatively associated with positive affect and resilient coping (Mandavia et al, 2016;Michopoulos et al, 2015;Powers et al, 2015;Raimondi et al, 2022). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of an Italian version suggested a unidimensional structure (Raimondi et al, 2022).…”

“…Emotional regulation can be defined as the ability of an individual to correctly identify, monitor, express and modulate the intensity and duration of an emotion or set of emotions (American Psychological Association [APA], 2022a; Cole et al, 1994;Raimondi et al, 2022). Emotional dysregulation (ED) refers to the difficulty or inability to carry out this process, and in particular refers to extreme or inappropriate emotional response to a situation (APA, 2022b).…”

“…Emotional dysregulation is currently understood as a trans-diagnostic construct that has an impact on many psychological conditions, spanning from, among others, mood and anxiety disorders, substance use and personality disorders to autism spectrum disorder, psychological trauma and brain injury (cf. APA, 2022b; Powers et al, 2015;Raimondi et al, 2022;for summaries).…”

“…In spite of their widespread use, they also have serious limitations (cf. Powers et al, 2015;Raimondi et al, 2022, for critique). Bradley et al (2011) developed the 24-item EDS.…”