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Developmental Trends in Emotion Regulation: A Systematic Review with Implications for Community Mental Health

Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
23 April 2014

Abstract

The ability to regulate how emotions are experienced is central to psychological well-being. Developmental changes in emotion regulation (ER) strategies are unclear in the literature. Thus, a systematic review of the research literature was conducted in order to (a) describe normative ER development across childhood, adolescence, and emerging adulthood, (b) describe the patterns and processes of specific ER strategies, and (c) identify and describe the influence of specific individual factors on ER. Fifty-five studies were identified that examined key ER strategies across development. The findings highlight the importance of facilitating adaptive ER strategies among children and youth.

Résumé

La régulation des émotions est essentielle au bien-être psychologique. Les études existantes ne présentent pas un portrait clair du développement des stratégies de régulation des émotions (RE). En conséquence, le présent article passe les études scientifiques systématiquement en revue afin de (a) décrire le développement normatif de la RE au cours de l'enfance, l'adolescence, et l’âge adulte émergent, (b) décrire les modèles et les processus reliés à des stratégies précises de RE, et (c) identifier et décrire l'influence sur la RE de facteurs individuels spécifiques. On a identifié 55 études qui examinent des stratégies essentielles de RE aux différentes étapes du développement. Les données démontrent l'importance d'encourager l'utilisation de stratégies adaptives de RE chez les enfants et les jeunes.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Volume 33Number 1July 2014
Pages: 31 - 44

History

Version of record online: 23 April 2014

Key Words

  1. emotional regulation
  2. childhood development
  3. adolescent development
  4. adaptive behaviour
  5. community mental health

Mots-clés

  1. régulation des émotions
  2. développement des enfants
  3. développement des jeunes
  4. comportement adaptatif
  5. santé mentale communautaire

Authors

Affiliations

Jennine S. Rawana
Gordon L. Flett
Meghan L. McPhie
Hien T. Nguyen
Sarah Jane Norwood

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