Emotion regulation predicts pain and functioning in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: An electronic diary study

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study utilized e-diaries to evaluate whether components of emotion regulation predict daily pain and function in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).Methods43 children ages 8-17 years and their caregivers provided baseline reports of child emotion regulation. Children then completed thrice daily e-diary assessments of emotion, pain, and activity involvement for 28 days. E-diary ratings of negative and positive emotions were used to calculate emotion variability and to infer adaptive emotion modulation following periods of high or low emotion intensity. Hierarchical linear models were used to evaluate how emotion regulation related to pain and function.ResultsThe attenuation of negative emotion following a period of high negative emotion predicted reduced pain; greater variability of negative emotion predicted higher pain and increased activity limitation. Indices of positive emotion regulation also significantly predicted pain.ConclusionsComponents of emotion regulation as captured by e-diaries predict important health outcomes in children with JIA. © 2011 The Author. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved.