title: A Factor Analytic Evaluation of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale.
abstract: The present study aimed to elucidate the factor structure of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS; Gratz & Roemer, 2004)-a widely used measure of emotion dysregulation.
  
  
  
  Participants were 3 undergraduate samples (N = 840, 78.33% female, mean age = 20.30).
  
  
  
  We began by using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to examine 3 existing models, finding that none consistently demonstrated adequate fit across samples. Subsequently, we conducted an exploratory factor analysis, identifying a novel 5-factor model that consistently resulted in adequate fit across samples. We also ran several CFA models after removing the Awareness subscale items-which have performed inconsistently in prior research-finding that a reduced-measure variant of the model retained by Gratz and Roemer (2004) resulted in adequate fit across samples. No higher-order models consistently resulted in adequate fit across samples.
  
  
  
  Our findings are consistent with previous work in suggesting use of a DERS total score may not be appropriate. Additionally, further work is needed to examine the novel 5-factor model and the effect of reverse-scored items on the DERS factor structure.
authors.affiliation: Auburn University. djlee@auburn.edu.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Auburn University.
authors.forename: Tracy K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Witte
authors.affiliation: Auburn University.
authors.forename: Joseph R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Bardeen
authors.affiliation: Auburn University.
authors.forename: Margaret T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Auburn University.
authors.forename: Frank W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Weathers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000068356:Self-Control; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: difficulties in emotion regulation; emotion dysregulation; emotion regulation; factor analysis; psychometrics