Emotional Development

Emotional development refers to the process of learning to effectively express, regulate, and cope with one's emotions over time. Emotional development has significant implications for children's current and future functioning. Children who successfully navigate their emotional world are more likely to also be successful in their interpersonal relationships, academic and later employment endeavors, and in obtaining personal happiness and good adjustment. Children who encounter problems with their emotional development, on the other hand, are significantly more likely to have interpersonal difficulties, academic and later employment problems, and mental health or adjustment problems. This entry will first describe the important elements of emotional development: emotion reactivity, emotion regulation, emotionality, and emotional understanding. Next, an overview of the main influences on emotional development will be presented, including ...