Dyadic Regulation

Dyadic regulation refers to the joint construction and modulation of the behavior, affect, and physiological rhythms of two interactive partners through the dynamic adaptation of each partner to the expected and actual attributes of the other. This definition can be unpacked into several key principles. First, dyadic regulation is a systemic process involving interactive partners who act both independently and as part of a larger whole. As such, dyadic regulation typically occurs in the context of emotionally close relationships that serve as meaningful contexts for wholeness beyond the self. Second, these regulatory processes involve coordination across multiple modalities (i.e., behavior, affect, and physiology) and levels of analysis (i.e., the individual, the partner, and the dyad). Third, dyadic regulation involves bidirectional, recursive patterns of influence in ...