Challenges in Regulating Emotion among Malaysian Adolescents: A Qualitative Secondary Data Analysis

Adolescence is recognised as a critical phase for emotion regulation in human development. In recent years, there has been growing interest in how adolescents regulate their emotions and its challenges. Up to this date, no previous study has explored the challenges and experiences among Malaysian adolescents in regulating emotion. The objective of this study was to explore the experiences and challenges associated with regulating emotion among Malaysian adolescents. This study employed a qualitative approach using secondary data analysis employing four focus group discussions and 14 in-depth interviews involving 24 junior high school students across Malaysia. Emergent themes were identified from recurring codes in the data collected and then identified as elements related to challenges and experiences in regulating emotions. Study revealed adolescents encountered certain challenges in regulating emotion, particularly due to parental factors, academic struggles, siblings’ conflict and peer pressure. The use of expressive suppression (ES) was evident among these adolescents, some proved to be beneficial, and some to be maladaptive. ES use is mainly driven by cultural values emphasising fear of rejection by society. The findings underline the importance of addressing these challenges and the need for societal involvement, especially teachers and parents, to promote better emotional well-being among adolescents.