Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Interpersonal Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (IERQ) in Adolescents and Young Adults

Purpose Interpersonal emotion regulation (IER) is increasingly recognized as a clinically relevant socio-emotional process, particularly during adolescence and young adulthood. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Spanish Interpersonal Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (IERQ-S) in adolescents and young adults. Methods A total of 2262 Spanish participants aged 14–27 years completed the IERQ-S and measures of wellbeing, self-esteem, loneliness, emotion regulation, reflective functioning, psychological difficulties, suicidal ideation, and technology-related behaviors. The sample was randomly split for cross-validation. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted in Subsample A, whereas confirmatory factor analysis, competing structural models, and ordinal measurement invariance across gender and age groups were tested in Subsample B. Results The correlated four-factor and bifactor models showed similar relative performance, although absolute fit was mixed. Ordinal measurement invariance was supported across gender and age groups. Internal consistency was adequate to good across subscales and demographic strata. Associations with external indicators were generally small and require cautious interpretation. Age- and gender-stratified normative percentiles were also generated. Conclusions The IERQ-S appears to be a reliable and valid measure for assessing interpersonal emotion regulation strategies in Spanish adolescents and young adults. Its use may support research on socio-emotional functioning, transdiagnostic regulatory processes, and youth mental health assessment.