The contribution of deficits in emotional clarity to stress responses and depression

Megan Flynn, Karen D. Rudolph

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This research investigated the contribution of deficits in emotional clarity to children's socioemotional adjustment. Specifically, this study examined the proposal that deficits in emotional clarity are associated with maladaptive interpersonal stress responses, and that maladaptive interpersonal stress responses act as a mechanism linking deficits in emotional clarity to childhood depressive symptoms. Participants included 345 3rd graders (M age = 8.89, SD = .34) assessed at two waves, approximately one year apart; youth completed self-report measures of emotional clarity, responses to interpersonal stress, and depressive symptoms. Results supported the hypothesized process model linking deficits in emotional clarity, maladaptive interpersonal stress responses, and depressive symptoms, adjusting for prior depressive symptoms. Findings have implications for theories of emotional competence and for depression-intervention efforts aimed at fostering emotional understanding and adaptive interpersonal stress responses.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)291-297
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Applied Developmental Psychology
Volume31
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2010

Keywords

  • Depressive symptoms
  • Emotional clarity
  • Interpersonal stress responses
  • Middle childhood

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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