Development and Validation of a Japanese Version of the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents

PURPOSE: We developed a Japanese version of the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (ERQ-CA) and examined its reliability and validity across three studies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In Study 1, the Japanese version of ERQ-CA was developed and administered to 389 children aged 8–12 years. In Study 2, the questionnaire was administered to 1738 adolescents aged 12–18 years. In Study 3, utilizing a sample of 1300 children and adolescents, the test was administered twice over a period of four weeks in order to assess test–retest reliability. RESULTS: In Study 1, the Japanese version of ERQ-CA showed the same factor structure as the original version, along with good internal consistency reliability and acceptable construct validity. In Study 2, the questionnaire’s factor structure, internal consistency reliability, and construct validity were again confirmed. Finally, in Study 3, measurement invariance was tested across distinct age groups (8–11, 12–15, and 16–18 years), and the questionnaire had good test–retest reliability over a period of four weeks. CONCLUSION: The Japanese version of the ERQ-CA had good reliability and validity.