Cognitive emotion regulation strategies and mental health problems in war-affected youth in Northern Uganda: findings from the WAYS study

Background: Cognitive emotion regulation strategies (CERS) have been shown to moderate the influence of War Experiences (WE) on mental health problems. Aims: This study assessed the influence of WE and use of specific CERS on mental health problems among war-affected youth in Northern Uganda. Methods: Five hundred and thirty-nine participants in an ongoing war-affected youth study (WAYS) were assessed by locally developed measures. CERS were measured by Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). Multiple regressions were used to assess independent effects of gender, WE, and CERS on mental problems and their potential interaction. Results: Gender, WE and all CERS except positive refocussing and reappraisal had significant independent main effects on symptoms of depression while only WE, self-blame and blaming others had significant main effects on conduct problems. The interaction terms of WE and coping strategies of rumination, catastrophizing, and self-blame significantly predicted symptoms of depression/anxiety while only the interaction between WE and blaming others predicted conduct problems. In contrast, putting into perspective and planning negatively predicted symptoms of depression/anxiety. Conclusions: Interventions to reduce mental health problems should target coping strategies, especially adaptive strategies to youth in many post-conflict settings in Africa.