When Children Are Upset, Parents Can Make a Difference
Posted: Nov. 29, 2007
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A recently published University of Illinois study suggests that young children benefit when mothers and fathers differ in their reactions to their child's negative emotions.
Researcher Nancy McElwain says that when a young child is angry, sad, or frustrated, the best scenario seems to be if one parent comforts and problem-solves with the child while the other parent hangs back a bit and gives the child space to process what he's feeling.
When that happens, the child is more likely to gain experience in understanding and controlling his emotions. He may also benefit from seeing different types of reactions, realize that there are different ways of looking at things, and thus develop more complex thinking about and understanding of emotions, she said.
In the two studies McElwain conducted, the research showed that children exhibited higher emotional understanding and less conflict with friends when one parent reported high support while the other parent reported low support -- regardless of which parent played each role.
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