Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print When children are upset, mothers and fathers make a difference

When children are upset, mothers and fathers make a difference

September 28, 2007

When a young child experiences negative emotions-anger, anxiety, or distress-can his parents respond in a way that fosters the child's emotional development?

A new University of Illinois study in the September/October issue of Child Development suggests that young children benefit when mothers and fathers differ in their reactions to their child's negative emotions.




"When a young child is angry, sad, or frustrated, the best scenario seems to be if one parent comforts and problem-solves with the child while the other parent hangs back a bit and gives the child space to process what he's feeling," said Nancy McElwain, a U of I assistant professor of human development.

When that happens, the child is more likely to gain experience in understanding and controlling his emotions. He may also benefit from seeing different types of reactions, realize that there are different ways of looking at things, and thus develop more complex thinking about and understanding of emotions, she said.

"We're hypothesizing that if both parents rush in to help the child, the child doesn't have a chance to experience negative feelings and learn how to manage them," she said.

The researcher emphasized that "hanging back" isn't the same as punishing a child for being upset or minimizing those feelings. The second parent should also be supportive, but quietly so, she said.

McElwain and her colleagues conducted two studies. In Study 1, 55 kindergarten students were interviewed to assess their understanding of situations in which they might have both positive and negative emotions. The researchers also asked the children to predict how others might feel when their expectations were not met-for example, if they believed there were cookies in a jar but then found the jar was empty.

In Study 2, 49 preschoolers were observed during play sessions with a close friend. In one session, there were many toys to play with, and the children were left to play either together or alone. In the other session, there was one novel toy that the children had to share. From these observations, the researchers assessed levels of child-friend play and conflict.

Finally, in both studies, mothers and fathers independently completed a questionnaire about how they would respond to their child's negative emotions. Parents who reported supportive reactions indicated that they would frequently comfort their upset child and help their child solve the problem that had caused the negative emotion.

Across the two studies, the research showed that children exhibited higher emotional understanding and less conflict with friends when one parent reported high support while the other parent reported low support. In most situations, children fared similarly regardless of which parent took on which role.

But, in some cases, children had better outcomes when fathers, in particular, reported high support and mothers reported low support. "Emotionally supportive fathers may ask more questions about the causes or consequences of their child's distress, resulting in the children having a more complex understanding of their feelings," she said.

She also speculated that because mothers are generally high in support, a low-supporting mother may be more supportive than she appears.

And, in Study 2, the findings only held for boys. "Because boys engage in more forceful and aggressive strategies during conflict, support from parents may be more important for boys. Or it could be that boys are often socialized to hide or discount their negative emotions, so when they receive support, perhaps they're better able to benefit from it," she said.

Of the study's findings, McElwain said, "They're somewhat counterintuitive. You'd think the more support a child receives when she's upset, the better off she'd be. But the study shows that sometimes less is more."

She encourages couples to think about how they respond to a young child's anger, anxiety, or frustration as a parental unit, not as individuals. That's particularly important if a child has many negative episodes, she said.

"When you react to a negative emotion, I'd suggest that one parent step back a bit and let the other parent handle it," she said.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign



Related Negative Emotion Current Events and Negative Emotion News Articles Negative Emotion Current Events and Negative Emotion News RSS Negative Emotion Current Events and Negative Emotion News RSS
Brain-behavior disconnect in cocaine addiction
Parts of the brain involved in monitoring behaviors and emotions show different levels of activity in cocaine users relative to non-drug users, even when both groups perform equally well on a psychological test.

Disgusting videos used to study coping methods
Researchers conduct first-ever brain imaging study directly contrasting two techniques of emotion regulation.

The regulation of negative emotions: Impact on brain activity
Emotions play an important role in the lives of humans, and influence our behavior, thoughts, decisions, and interactions. The ability to regulate emotions is essential to both mental and physical well-being.

Carbon dioxide triggers inborn distress
PLoS ONE publishes a study showing that inhalation of carbon dioxide (CO2) triggers emotional distress and a panic response in healthy individuals. The findings of the study posit panic as an inborn survival-oriented response. The results may be relevant for a better understanding and the further prevention of emotional disorders.

Study suggests we remember the bad times better than the good
Do you remember exactly where you were when you learned of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks? Your answer is probably yes, and researchers are beginning to understand why we remember events that carry negative emotional weight.

More than 80% of patients manage to stop discomfort from tinnitus and can lead a normal life again
It is estimated that between 10 and 17% of the population has suffered tinnitus at some time in their lives, according to a number of international studies.

Symptoms of depression linked to early stages of artery disease
Depressive symptoms—especially physical signs, such as fatigue and loss of appetite—may be associated with thickening arteries, which may reflect an early sign of coronary artery disease.

Children of bipolar parents score higher on creativity test, Stanford study finds
Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have shown for the first time that a sample of children who either have or are at high risk for bipolar disorder score higher on a creativity index than healthy children.

Research Breakthrough In Understanding Treatment-Resistant Depression
CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE CENTRE: DARTFORD UK A pioneering research study using brain imaging has yielded new clues to help sufferers from severe depression who do not respond to conventional treatment. Around 5 million people in the UK experience depression at any one time. Whilst a number of successful treatments, both pharmacological and psychotherapeutic, are available and many people make a full recovery about 30 - 40% of people are resistant to conventional therapies. For them their depression is an enduring, debilitating disease and for some, the only treatment options left include psychosurgery and ECT. Now an international team of researchers have discovered that brain activity differ

Emotions count in organ donation
Feelings are more important than thoughts in predicting registration as an organ donor. This is the key finding of a study described today, Wednesday 18 July, at The British Psychological Society Social Section Annual Conference, held at the University of Surrey, Guildford, by Dr Tom Farsides, of the Social Psychology Group, School of Social Sciences, University of Sussex. As a result, the Government strategy to double the amount of organ donors may be doomed to failure because of its focus on positive arguments and failure to counter fears. More than 500 people took part in a survey of attitudes towards organ donation. When thinking about becoming posthumous organ donors, people's responses
More Negative Emotion Current Events and Negative Emotion News Articles
Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life

Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life
by Judith Orloff (Author)

Picture yourself trapped in a traffic jam feeling utterly calm. Imagine being unflappable and relaxed when your supervisor loses her temper. What if you were peaceful instead of anxious? What if your life were filled with nurturing relationships and a warm sense of belonging? This is what it feels like when you’ve achieved emotional freedom.

National bestselling author Dr. Judith Orloff invites you to take a remarkable journey, one that leads to happiness and serenity, and a place where you can gain mastery over the negativity that pervades daily life. No matter how stressed you currently feel, the time for positive change is now. You possess the ability to liberate yourself from depression, anger, and fear.

Synthesizing neuroscience, intuitive medicine, psychology, and...

Fusion of the Five Elements Level I: Transform Negative Emotions [VHS]

Fusion of the Five Elements Level I: Transform Negative Emotions [VHS]

Transform Negative Emotions continues the process of physical and psychological self-healing that was begun in the Microcosmic Orbit and Inner Smile meditations. On this two tape set Master Chia will present the theory and explanation of the Taoist meditation known as the Fusion of Five Elements, Level 1. Then he will guide you through the Five Formulas that rebalance negative emotions to become pure, unblocked, life force energy.

Much of our life force energy is chronically trapped inside our internal organs and causes us to experience anger, worry, sadness, fear and cruelty. In Taoist practice, using images from nature, these emotional energies are expressed as extreme weather conditions - hot, cold, wet, dry and damp. Fusing these imbalanced energies together in one place creates a...

Subliminal Cd: Anger Management Stop Panic Attacks- Release Negative Emotions- Positive Mind Program with Nlp, Brainwave Generator Technology (Subliminal Cd) [Original Recording] (Audio Cd).

Subliminal Cd: Anger Management Stop Panic Attacks- Release Negative Emotions- Positive Mind Program with Nlp, Brainwave Generator Technology (Subliminal Cd) [Original Recording] (Audio Cd).
by Sprudio

CD with Nature Sound: The affirmations and suggestions are "buried" in the Ocean Waves Sound; all you hear is The Ocean Waves and the Nature Sound. Final Track Silent, can be used anywhere. There is not sound to be heard by conscious mind. About this CD Life, people and events are not fair. Frustration and anger are easily justified but painful for the bearer and others. We can never control the external as we would like, but we do have the power to limit mistakes by controlling our own emotions (to a degree). To work on destructive anger and frustration reactions at the subconscious level, subliminal audio can help. Subliminal CD uses NLP, brainwave generator and one final ultra-silent track.

BMV Quantum Subliminal CD Release Negative Emotions (Ultrasonic Subliminal Series)

BMV Quantum Subliminal CD Release Negative Emotions (Ultrasonic Subliminal Series)

Program your subconscious mind to release negative emotions. Let go of unwanted emotional baggage and negativity so you can move forward with your life and have peace of mind. Exclusive state-of-the-art subliminal and brainwave entrainment technologies that you can use to program your subconscious mind for positive lasting results, created by a Certified Hypnotherapist and NLP Practitioner (Neuro-Linguistic Programming). Silent affirmations, hypnotic suggestions and thousands of powerful subliminal messages program your subconscious mind for positive results. The first 3 tracks have an ocean background. The Silent Ultrasonic Track 4 is completely silent with no sound at all! BMVs exclusive Quantum Subliminal Matrix Technology sets a new standard for the subliminal industry! BMV has merged...

Relax, Release & Dream On, Hypnotic Guided Imagery for Relaxing, Releasing Negative Emotions and Sleeping Peacefully

Relax, Release & Dream On, Hypnotic Guided Imagery for Relaxing, Releasing Negative Emotions and Sleeping Peacefully
A.C.H. Gale Glassner Twersky (Primary Contributor)



That Old Black Magic

That Old Black Magic
Directed By: Brendan Maher
Also With: Matt Carroll (Producer), Richard Manning (Writer)



Emotional Repair Kit: 50 Tools to Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions

Emotional Repair Kit: 50 Tools to Liberate Yourself from Negative Emotions
by Judith Orloff (Author)

In this "emotional emergency kit" New York Times bestselling author Dr. Judith Orloff offers simple exercises for transforming seven negative emotions into positive thinking and living. Follow the easy-to-use action steps to transform:

-         Fear into Courage
-         Frustration into Patience
-         Loneliness into Connection
-         Anxiety into Inner Calm
-         Depression into Hope
-         Jealousy into Self-Esteem
-         Anger into Compassion

How to Overcome All Negativity

How to Overcome All Negativity
Also With: Dr. Arnold P. Nerenberg (Producer), Dr. Arnold P. Nerenberg (Narrator)

We are not responsible for the thoughts we have. We are responsible for the thoughts we choose to have. Dr. Nerenberg demonstrates seven ways to control your thoughts. Normally, thoughts just pop into our minds based on upbringing and society. Dr. Nerenberg calls these Pop Ins. They are often negative. But he shows us how to follow this with positive self talk. His approach is far more than just another positive thinking treatment or affirmations. He has actually developed a full technology for how to magnify and internalize constructive thought, and methods for creating new ones. By controlling the directions of our thoughts, we control the direction of our feelings and actions as well. This can be applied to all areas of our lives including relationships, business, sports, finances, and...

Conception Flower Essence - Balance Emotions, Remove Negative Energy and Open Creative Life Forces - Buy Two Get One Free

Conception Flower Essence - Balance Emotions, Remove Negative Energy and Open Creative Life Forces - Buy Two Get One Free
by Native Remedies

Three bottles for the price of two! What is Conception Flower Essence ? Conception Essence combines selected gem and crystal essences with the traditional flower essences. In this respect, we are one of very few companies in the world who use these two modalities together in our remedies. Conception Essence is a unique combination of pure, undiluted, stock strength flower and gem essences in concentrated drop form. Conception Essence is formulated to the highest therapeutic standards in consultation with our clinical psychologist and experts in the field of natural healing, using ingredients specially chosen for their safety and effectiveness.

There's No Such Thing as a Negative Emotion

There's No Such Thing as a Negative Emotion
by DS Barron (Author)



EBE: Enlightenment of the Emotional Body practice

"There are three levels of change in human growth: self-improvement, transformation, and transmutation. Self-improvement is based in changing what we do behaviorally. Transformation occurs when we change the beliefs and attitudes that drive our behaviors. But only transmutation, the healing of the hidden emotional body congestions that drive why we possess the beliefs and attitudes that drive our behaviors, will lead to lasting and authentic personal and global change........it is now that place in history for both western revelatory-based and eastern ego-transcendence-based spiritual systems to see that their time in our evolution of consciousness is over, as both demonize the self's journey through flesh-expression in...

© 2009 BrightSurf.com