Relationship between Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies and High-risk Behaviors by Mediating Perceived Social Support

One of the most important factors of high-risk behaviors is cognitive emotion regulation strategies. Few studies have investigated the role of mediating variables. The present study aimed to provide a model for determining the role of cognitive emotion regulation strategies in high risk behaviors through perceived social support. Hence, using multistage cluster sampling, 224 students (93 female, 149 male) were selected from Tehran University. They were assessed by Youth Risk Behavior Survey Questionnaire (YRBQ, Amerian Center of Disease Control, 1989), cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire (Garnefski, Kraaij & Spinhoven, 2001) and Multidimensional scale of Perceived social support (Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet & Farley, 1988). Results indicated the direct effect of adaptive cognitive strategies on family, maladaptive cognitive strategies on family and friends, as well as maladaptive cognitive strategies, family and friends on high-risk behaviors. Moreover, indirect effects of adaptive and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies on high-risk behaviors were mediated by the family factor. Therefore, the mediating role of perceived social support in relationship between cognitive emotion regulation strategies and high-risk behaviors was confirmed. Finally, the obtained model indicated an adequate fitness.