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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
08:09
Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
Published on: February 11, 2017
Specificity of age differences in emotion regulation
1Department of Mental Health Sciences, University College London, London, W1W 7EJ, United Kingdom. v.orgeta@ucl.ac.uk
Aging & Mental Health
|November 6, 2009
Summary
Older adults demonstrate greater emotion regulation skills, particularly in goal-directed behavior and impulse control, compared to younger adults. This suggests age-related adaptations in managing emotions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Emotion regulation is crucial for psychological well-being.
- Previous research indicates age-related differences in emotion regulation, but a comprehensive examination across various facets is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age differences in multiple facets of emotion regulation.
- To extend prior research on emotion regulation in young versus older adults.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving young (n=40) and older adults (n=40).
- Participants completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and self-report measures of anxiety and depression.
Main Results:
- Younger adults reported more emotion regulation difficulties overall than older adults.
- Older adults showed greater ability in goal-directed behavior and inhibiting impulsive emotional responses.
- Increasing age correlated with enhanced access to emotion regulation strategies and clearer emotional awareness.
Conclusions:
- Late adulthood appears stable in several emotion regulation aspects, indicating age-related adaptations.
- Findings support the DERS's construct validity and highlight the influence of verbal ability on age and emotion regulation.
- The study broadens the understanding of age-related differences in emotion regulatory control across various theoretical constructs.
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