Difficulties in emotion regulation scale (DERS): the italian translation and adaptation

The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) is one of the tests used most frequently to assess the difficulties in emotion regulation in the adult population. The Italian version of the DERS was applied to 190 adults, and in addition, a subgroup (81 adults) compiled a series of parallel tests. The results of a confirmatory factor analysis did not confirm the original structure, while an exploratory factor analysis indicated six different dimensions of emotion regulation. The tool has good psychometric properties. The total score correlates positively with negative emotion and negatively with positive emotion. Trait anxiety was found to be associated with the DERS total score and with the scale of Distraction difficulties, while depression correlates with the total and with the scales relating to the difficulty in controlling impulses and accessing the emotion regulation strategies. In conclusion, the DERS can be considered a useful tool to measure the emotion regulation strategies also in the Italian context.