Emotion regulation deficits in childhood

Abstract

Emotion regulation. The ability to regulate emotions represents an important developmental step in childhood. Emotion regulation is significantly influenced by various factors, such as neurological development, child’s temperament, and parenting behavior.

Deficits in emotion regulation. Current research shows that deficits in emotion regulation (i.e., the frequent use of dysfunctional regulation strategies and a lack of use of functional strategies) are associated with psychosocial impairment. In addition, a basic association could be detected between emotion regulation deficits and externalizing and internalizing disorders in childhood.

Therapy. By focusing on emotion regulation in well-directed treatment approaches, promising effects can be observed. A crucial task for future research is to further investigate the specific function of emotion regulation for psychopathology and to integrate this ability into treatment approaches for children.