Decoding the complexities of emotion socialization: cultures, individual features and shared information

Abstract

The ability to understand and regulate one’s emotions is an integral part of human development. As part of this learning process, emotion socialization is understood as the dynamic mechanism by which caregivers mediate and influence the child’s emotional competence. Failures in emotion socialization have been associated with antisocial behavior, peer rejection, and mental health issues in both children and adults, which underscores the importance of this process. It has been suggested that emotion socialization is strongly influenced by the socio-cultural features of the caregivers. This Collection compiles recent works that unravel the underlying complex mechanisms of emotion socialization and related life outcomes. It emphasizes the crucial role that cultural and individual traits play in the process of emotion socialization. Looking ahead, combining insights from neuro-physiological and socio-cultural perspectives promises to enrich our comprehension of emotional processes and emotional competence development.