Definitional issues in emotion regulation research
Abstract
Operational definitions of emotion regulation are frequently unclear, as are links between emotion regulation measures and underlying theoretical constructs. This is of concern because measurement decisions can have both intentional and unintentional implications for underlying conceptualizations of emotion regulation. This report examines the implications of some such decisions, including (a) focusing on types versus total amount of emotion regulation, (b) determining distinctiveness of measures of emotion versus emotion regulation strategies, (c) deciding whether and how to examine temporal sequencing of strategy use and emotion, d) using discrete versus global emotion measures, and (e) determining when emotion is being regulated. Finally, the need for better conceptualizations and empirical assessments of adaptive (vs. maladaptive) emotion regulation is discussed.
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These distress tolerance findings fit with a broader literature that suggests parents may play a critical role in shaping the socialization and regulation of emotion in their children.
“Notably, these distress tolerance findings fit with a broader literature that suggests parents may play a critical role in shaping the socialization and regulation of emotion in their children (Bariola, Hughes, & Gullone, 2012; Bridges, Denham, & Ganiban, 2004; Kopp, 1989; Thompson, 1994; Zeman, Cassano, Perry-Parrish, & Stegall, 2006).”
From Investigating the association between parental reflective functioning and distress tolerance in motherhood. (2015) · cites this paper as Bridges, Denham, & Ganiban, 2004
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“[17] Furthermore, nonjudgmental awareness (as a part of mindfulness) could facilitate healthy engagement with emotions[17] and let one to encounter their emotions and emotion tools in their real and original form.[52]”
Background
- Authors
- Bridges, L. J., Denham, S. A., & Ganiban, J. M.
- Affiliations
- George Washington University (US)
- George Mason University (US)
- Venue
- Child Development
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2004-03-01
- Volume
- 75
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 340-345
- ISSN
- 0009-3920 (ISSN-L)
- 1467-8624
- OpenAlex
- W2170133377
- Cited by
- 288
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 8.05
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Child Development (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Emotions and Moral Behavior
- Social Sciences › Education › Early Childhood Education and Development
- Keywords
- emotion regulation, operational definitions, construct validity, emotion regulation strategies, emotion measurement
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Child, Child Development, Psychology, Child, Emotions, Humans, Inhibition, Psychological, Psychological Theory, Self Efficacy
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