Distinct Cross‐Lagged Relations of Cognitive Reappraisal and Expressive Suppression With Perceived Social Support Among Chinese Adolescents

INTRODUCTION: Converging evidence suggests a close relationship between emotion regulation (ER) and perceived social support (PSS) among adolescents. Yet, little is currently known about their longitudinal cross-lagged associations within the Chinese cultural context, as well as the differential effects of different ER strategies. To address these gaps, the present study aimed to examine the cross-lagged associations between PSS and two specific ER strategies-cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression-in Chinese adolescents. METHODS: = 16.42, SD = 0.61, aged 14-18 years) participated in a three-wave longitudinal study, with data collected at 6-month intervals during senior high school. To examine hypothesized cross-lagged associations, we employed cross-lagged panel models, a well-established method for analyzing temporal associations (Kenny 1975). RESULTS: Cross-lagged panel model revealed that PSS at Time 1 was positively associated with cognitive reappraisal at Time 2, which in turn was positively related to PSS at Time 3. PSS at Time 2 also showed a positive correlation with cognitive reappraisal at Time 3. In contrast, no significant cross-lagged effects were observed between PSS and expressive suppression over time. CONCLUSIONS: These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the longitudinal cross-lagged associations between PSS and ER in adolescence, highlighting the association between supportive social environments and adolescents' ER strategies.