Integrating an emotional regulation perspective in a program of prenatal and early childhood home visitation

Abstract

This paper highlights theoretical and practical issues concerning the ways in which emotional development and regulation processes of the mother-infant dyad are influenced by home visitation. The role of emotion regulation and emotional availability, important mediators of program influence on a variety of child and family outcomes are discussed. Emotion regulating capacities of the infant are reviewed in light of both early intervention and later development. Caregiving is discussed in the context of the child's emotion regulation needs. We describe how methods to promote emotionally available caregiving have been incorporated into a program of prenatal and early childhood home visitation in Denver, Colorado. This includes the provision of structured interactive guidance and the development of a helping relationship between mother and home visitor. Finally, the operationalization of emotion regulation and emotional availability for the evaluation of the effectiveness of the program model are discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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