Self-regulation in Development Children at Risk February 7, 2013 Children at Risk February 7, 2013 Contact: Jennifer Silvers,

What is self-regulation? Ability to manage… Physiological arousal Emotions Attention & EF

RoadmapRoadmap Development of executive function Development of executive function General General Sources of variability Sources of variability Development of emotional regulation Development of emotional regulation General General Sources of variability Sources of variability

Executive function Inhibitory control Resisting habits, temptations Working memory Holding & manipulating information in mind Cognitive flexibility Ability to adjust to change

Studying EF Questionnaires Parent or teacher “Does your child have trouble staying on task?” Participant “Do you have trouble staying on task?” School or other records GPA Acting out in class Experiment with observation How do they respond to challenge? Performance on Tasks Inhibition Working Memory Flexibility 2, 5, 7, 8, 3, 6, 4, 1

Early EF Development 6 weeks: Can anticipate events 8-12 mo: Means-end and searching behavior Surge of growth in PFC

Early EF Development Abstract rule comprehension Symbolic representation and language Stable EF and verbal ability differences weeks: Can anticipate events 8-12 mo: Means-end and searching behavior Surge of growth in PFC

Early EF Development Harsh parenting Tools of the Mind Abstract rule comprehension Symbolic representation and language Stable EF and verbal ability differences 6 weeks: Can anticipate events 8-12 mo: Means-end and searching behavior Surge of growth in PFC Abstract rule comprehension Symbolic representation and language

Later EF Development SES predicts EF and language ability Physiological diffs Age 6: Achieve adult levels on some tasks

Later EF Development Age 10: Achieve adult levels on some flexibility and inhibition tasks PFC structural changes SES predicts EF and language ability Physiological diffs Age 6: Achieve adult levels on some tasks

Later EF Development Inhibition, WM and processing speed still improving “Cold” EF develops faster than “hot” EF Significant variability in risky behavior Age 10: Achieve adult levels on some flexibility and inhibition tasks PFC structural changes SES predicts EF and language ability Physiological diffs Age 6: Achieve adult levels on some tasks

RoadmapRoadmap Development of executive function Development of executive function General General Sources of variability Sources of variability Development of emotional regulation Development of emotional regulation General General Sources of variability Sources of variability

Studying Emotion Regulation Questionnaires Parent/teacher/other: “Does your child get angry when told s/he has to go to bed?” Participant: “Do you generally keep your emotions to yourself?” Diary and event-sampling Multiple entries “How did you handle feeling bad?” Experiment with observation Physio fMRI: PFC vs amygdala/striatum Attentional deployment, self- distraction Experiment with self-report “Think of yourself as reporter watching things from a distance. Focus on the facts instead of your feelings.”

Early Emotion Regulation Development Physiological regulation Social referencing and parent seeking behavior Parenting differences including abuse and psychiatric symptomology Temperament and expressivity differences

Early Emotion Regulation Development Increased distraction and coping Emotional labeling Culture and gender Lesion studies Physiological regulation Social referencing and parent seeking behavior Parenting differences including abuse and psychiatric symptomology Temperament and expressivity differences

Early Emotion Regulation Development Childcare differences Maternal psychiatric status Problem behavior becomes clearer Enhanced self- referencing More complex emotions ToM development Increased distraction and coping Emotional labeling Culture and gender Lesion studies Physiological regulation Social referencing and parent seeking behavior Parenting differences including abuse and psychiatric symptomology Temperament and expressivity differences

Later Emotion Regulation Development Parenting style ER and social functioning Can hide emotions Enhanced use of attentional deployment Metacognitive awareness of ER improves 5 ~12 ~16

Later Emotion Regulation Development Delay ability predicts coping Anxiety disorders Expressive writing interventions can help Changing social environment Better EF but also more emotional lability Reactivity or regulation? 5 ~12 ~16 ~12 Parenting style ER and social functioning Can hide emotions Enhanced use of attentional deployment Metacognitive awareness of ER improves 5

Later Emotion Regulation Development 5 ~12 ~16 Substance use increases MDD increases Greater independence Increased use of cognitive regulatory strategies Mood stabilizes Delay ability predicts coping Anxiety disorders Expressive writing interventions can help Changing social environment Better EF but also more emotional lability Reactivity or regulation? ~12 Parenting style ER and social functioning Can hide emotions Enhanced use of attentional deployment Metacognitive awareness of ER improves 5