Abstract
Individual differences in young children’s understanding of emotion and potential correlates in the domain of family experiences were examined. Self-report questionnaires concerning the expression of emotion, management of marital conflict, and marital satisfaction were obtained from the mothers of children who had been given an emotion expression interpretation task and an assessment of their understanding of hidden negative emotions. Results indicated that individual differences in children’s understanding of negative emotions were related to specific aspects of family experiences. These data suggest complex influences of family functioning on children’s understanding of the emotional aspects of social relationships.
Recommended Citation
Linkie Nixon, Charisse and Watson, Anne C.
(2001)
"Family Experiences and Early Emotion Understanding,"
Merrill-Palmer Quarterly: Vol. 47:
Iss.
2, Article 7.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/mpq/vol47/iss2/7