The Short Version of the Process-Oriented Emotion Regulation Measure for Children and Adolescents (POEM-CA)

Abstract: The development of appropriate emotion regulation (ER) strategies is crucial for the healthy development of children and adolescents. Therefore, the assessment of ER skills with economic and yet valid and reliable measures that help to identify ER problems at an early stage is desirable. In this study, the psychometric properties of the short version of the Process-Oriented Emotion Regulation Measure for Children and Adolescents (POEM-CA) were examined in a sample of children and adolescents aged 7 to 18 years in primary (Sample A: N = 362) and secondary school (Sample B: N = 472). The hypothesised factor structure was replicated in both samples and scale and item characteristics were appropriate. The criterion-related validity of the POEM-CA was examined regarding well-being in both samples. As expected, more functional and less dysfunctional ER was associated with higher well-being. Additionally, associations with psychosocial adjustment were tested in Sample B. Functional ER was negatively associated with externalizing problems and positively associated with prosocial behavior. Beyond, dysfunctional ER was associated with more internalizing and externalizing problems. The findings indicate that the POEM-CA is a valid and reliable, but also economic measure that can be useful in research and practice.