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Review
. 2021 Sep 18;2(3):324-344.
doi: 10.1007/s42761-021-00054-w. eCollection 2021 Sep.

Adversity and Emotional Functioning

Helen M Milojevich  1 , Kristen A Lindquist  2 , Margaret A Sheridan  2
Affiliations
Review

Adversity and Emotional Functioning

Helen M Milojevich et al. Affect Sci. .

Abstract

Exposure to early adversity has been linked to variations in emotional functioning. To date, however, the precise nature of these variations has been difficult to pinpoint given widespread differences in the ways in which aspects of emotional functioning are defined and measured. Here, more consistent with models of emotional functioning in typically developing populations (e.g., Halberstadt et al., 2001), we propose defining emotional functioning as consisting of distinct domains of emotion expression, perception, knowledge, reactivity, and regulation. We argue that this framework is useful for guiding hypothesis generation about the specific impact of early adversity on children's emotional functioning. We operationalize the construct of emotional functioning, highlight what is currently known about the association between adversity exposure and each domain of emotional functioning, propose potential mechanisms for these associations, and set the stage for future research examining the development of emotional functioning in the context of early adversity.

Keywords: DMAP; Early adversity; Emotional functioning; Maltreatment; Parent socialization; Psychological construction.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of InterestThe authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Linking emotional functioning to emotional and adversity theories. *Note. Dashed lines indicate potential pathways linking deprivation and threat to domains of emotional functioning. Direct tests of these pathways are needed
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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