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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
14:04
Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Emotion Regulation
Published on: August 26, 2011
From children's expressive control to emotion regulation: Looking back, looking ahead
Pamela M Cole1, Amber E Jacobs1
1Child Study Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
The European Journal of Developmental Psychology
|March 23, 2019
Summary
Carolyn Saarni's early research on children's expressive control, including the creative disappointment task, laid the groundwork for understanding emotion regulation. This foundational work continues to inform the development of emotional competence and mental health in children.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Emotional Regulation Studies
Background:
- Carolyn Saarni's 1984 study on children's expressive control was seminal.
- Her work anticipated the broader field of emotion regulation research.
- The creative disappointment task is a key measure in this research area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review Dr. Saarni's foundational research on expressive control.
- To examine the impact of her work on emotion regulation studies.
- To outline future research directions for emotional competence and mental health.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of Saarni's early work.
- Discussion of studies utilizing the creative disappointment task.
- Synthesis of findings on expressive control and emotion regulation.
Main Results:
- Saarni's research on expressive control significantly influenced the study of emotion regulation.
- The creative disappointment task provided valuable insights into children's emotional responses.
- This line of inquiry bridges expressive control with broader emotional competence.
Conclusions:
- Dr. Saarni's work is a cornerstone in understanding emotional development.
- Continued research in this area is vital for advancing emotional competence.
- This research has implications for the mental health of children, both typical and at-risk.
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