The mediating role of emotion regulation strategies in the relationship between rumination and aggression in bipolar patients

The aim of this study was to determine the mediating role of emotion regulation strategies between rumination and aggression in bipolar patients.

The research method was descriptive-correlational, and the statistical population of the study consisted of all patients with bipolar disorder, referred and hospitalized in Tehran's maintenance and rehabilitation centers in 2018-2019, of which 200 were selected by targeted sampling. Research tools include Ruminative Response Scale, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and Aggression Questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.

The results showed that the suppression (p < 0.01, Z=2.71, β=0.75) and reappraisal (p < 0.05, Z=2.47, β=0.074) emotion regulation strategies mediate the relationship between rumination and aggression in bipolar patients.

Based on the results of the present study, it is recommended to evaluate the level of rumination and emotional regulation strategies of bipolar patients in the treatment process and provide appropriate therapies to reduce rumination and suppression emotional regulation strategy in these patients.