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Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to examine associations between tic severity, emotion regulation (ER), and social and family functioning in children and adolescents with Tourette Syndrome (TS). The potential mediational and/or moderational role of ER was also examined. Method: Caregivers of youth with TS were administered proxy-report measures of tic severity, ER, social functioning, social impairment, and impact on family life. Results: Total tic severity and motor tic severity were associated with ER and all social and familial outcomes. Vocal tic severity was not associated with ER or social functioning, but was related to social impairment and impact on family life. ER mediated the relations between total tic severity and all social and familial outcomes, as well as between motor tic severity and all social and familial outcomes. ER did not moderate any of the tested associations. Conclusion: Tic severity is associated with ER and social and family functioning in youth with TS, with ER mediating the associations between total and motor tic severity and social functioning, social impairment, and impact on family life. Implementing interventions that target ER would likely be a beneficial adjunctive therapy provided to youth with TS, and may result in improved social and family functioning.