Emotion regulation in two-year-olds: Strategies and emotional expression in four contexts

Author(s): Bridges, L. J., Connell, J. P.

Journal/Book: Child Develop. 1996; 67: 5720 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL 60637. Univ Chicago Press. 928-941.

Abstract: A descriptive study of the modulation of negative emotion in the toddler period was conducted by examining expressions of negative emotion and the strategies used to reduce or change these expressions. 6 strategies were identified and evaluated in terms of their frequency of use in different situations, relations with emotional expressiveness, and cross-situational consistency. 37 2-year-olds were seen in 2 laboratory contexts (delay and separation) each with 2 variants. Emotion regulation strategies and emotional expressiveness were coded from videotapes of children's behavior in these 4 situations. Findings suggest that active engagement was most commonly used and most negatively associated with child distress. Use of strategies varied by context., and there was more cross-situational consistency in use of strategies that were more negatively or positively associated with distress within a given context than in use of particular strategies without consideration of their within-context significance.

Note: Article WS Grolnick, Clark Univ, Frances L Hiatt Sch Psychol, 950 Main St, Worcester, MA 01610 USA

Keyword(s): SOCIAL INTERACTIVE BEHAVIOR; STRANGE SITUATION; ATTACHMENT; INFANTS; TEMPERAMENT; DELAY; GRATIFICATION; REACTIVITY; ATTENTION

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