Assessing the Role of Age, Self-Compassion, and Gender Role Orientation in Emotion Regulation

Abstract

Self-compassion has been investigated for its influence on emotion regulation, typically focusing on how trait self-compassion influences well-being through increased emotion regulation; the influence of other factors has been less thoroughly investigated. This exploratory study delved into how trait self-compassion, age, and gender role orientation jointly affect emotion regulation. We hypothesized that higher levels of trait self-compassion, and both highly masculine and highly feminine gender role orientations would be linked to fewer problems with emotion regulation, and that increased age would be linked to higher problems with it. Our sample included 112 participants who ranged in age from 19-78 years of age and were predominantly female (67%). Results indicated that both increased levels of trait self-compassion and age reduced problems with emotion regulation, while high scores in gender role orientation did not. These findings strengthen the connection between self-compassion and emotion regulation; and have implications for mental health research. Findings may also illuminate a shift in perceptions of gender-role orientations, suggesting stereotypical traits of masculinity, femininity, and androgyny may not have as much influence on emotion regulation as previously believed. Finally, there may be implications for how education levels affect emotion regulation in aging populations, but further exploration is needed.