Regulação emocional em adolescentes e seus pais: Da psicopatologia ao funcionamento ótimo

Abstract

In the last three decades, there has been an increasing attention to the study of emotion regulation. Adolescence is a period in which this issue is of particular importance. Adolescents' transformations elicit novel emotional experiences and contribute to a greater need and ability to use strategies to regulate emotions effectively (Steinberg, 2005). Parents are important agents of emotion regulation and promote adolescents' development (Yap, Allen, & Sheeber, 2007). The emotion regulation has been studied in association to psychopathology (Silk, Steinberg, & Morris, 2003) and optimal functioning (Freire & Tavares, 2011). Thus, this paper aims to present theoretical and empirical research to support the study of emotion regulation in adolescence, according to the perspective of promoting positive development. A better understanding of these processes may help to understand individual differences in terms of mental health and optimal functioning.