Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3098-6456
Date Available
8-12-2026
Year of Publication
2025
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
College
Agriculture, Food and Environment
Department/School/Program
Family Sciences
Faculty
Alexander T. Vazsonyi
Abstract
Adolescents face many challenges during this unique phase of development. Because of this, it is important to identify how to promote resilience and positive adjustment for these individuals. The present dissertation includes three studies which focused on familial and social factors in promoting emotion regulation and ultimately adjustment among middle and late adolescents.
The first study focused on the importance of alexithymia in the relationships between closeness and communication and internalizing problems, namely depression, anxiety, and self-esteem. Results showed that closeness was negatively associated with depression and positively associated with self-esteem. Communication was not associated with any of the studied internalizing problems. Alexithymia moderated the relationship between closeness and anxiety, but none of the other tested relationships were moderated by alexithymia.
The second study focused on the longitudinal relationships between emotional security in the family and both psychological well-being and distress; it also tested the potential mediating role of mental toughness. Results found a negative longitudinal relationship between Time 1 emotional security and Time 4 distress; it also found a positive longitudinal relationship between Time 1 emotional security and Time 4 well-being. Time 2 mental toughness was a significant mediator in model for well-being, but not in the one for distress.
The third study examined the correlates of resilience in late adolescent college students and tested the potential moderating role of sex. The correlates studied were sensory processing sensitivity, attachment security, maternal closeness and communication, as well as interpersonal support. Results indicated that sensory processing sensitivity, attachment closeness, and interpersonal support were unique correlates of resilience, maternal closeness and communication were not in the overall sample (i.e., both males and females). Although closeness was unrelated to resilience, multigroup moderation tests by sex provided evidence that closeness was positively associated with resilience, for males but not females. No other sex differences were found.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2025.332
Recommended Citation
Morgan, Julia J., "FAMILY AND SOCIAL FACTORS IN EMOTION REGULATION AND ADJUSTMENT IN ADOLESCENTS" (2025). Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences. 122.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/122
