Parent–Child Attachment and Dynamic Emotion Regulation: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Although there is evidence parent–child attachment security is associated with trait-like emotion indices, trait perspectives do not fully capture children's responses to context, an important emotion regulation component. This paper evaluates whether attachment is associated with two dynamic emotion indicators: emotion reactivity and emotion recovery. We review conceptual and empirical connections, describe the dynamic emotion perspective, discuss hypotheses, and review evidence. Our review (15 studies) shows that secure attachment was more consistently related to recovery than reactivity, avoidant attachment was related to low emotion reactivity and recovery, ambivalent attachment was associated with greater emotion reactivity, and disorganized attachment was related to high reactivity and recovery difficulties. We close by comparing trait-like and dynamic emotion conclusions then propose future research directions.

Helping you helps me: Beneficial effects of regulating others’ emotions on well-being and physiological stress

“…For example, a goal mismatch may occur when the target prefers to remain in a neutral or negative emotional state while the regulator aims to change the target's HELPING YOU HELPS ME: BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF REGULATING OTHERS' EMOTIONS ON WELL-BEING AND PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS 39 emotions to be more positive. In examining literature on romantic relationships (Richards et al, 2003) and parent-child dyads (Obeldobel et al, 2023 for review), we note a potential for greater divergence in emotion regulation goals in these dyads and a greater challenge in discerning the target's desires. This may be attributed to relational conflicts prevalent in close relationships, making the study of failed other-regulation in these contexts a promising area of investigation.…”