The Development of Affect Regulation: Bringing Together Basic and Clinical Perspectives

Some discussion of the development of affect regulation in relation to two papers by Drs. Kalin and Leibenluft is provided. The goals are to frame the broader issues, including the conceptualization and definitions of affect regulation, to address questions about the development of affect regulation, and to consider ways to bridge between basic and clinical approaches to understanding disorders of affect regulation emerging in childhood and adolescence. The conceptual framework for affect regulation presented here focuses on interactions between cognitive systems and affective systems. It also appears that this area of research is at a very early point in its development-one rich with opportunities to bridge between basic research in affective neuroscience, developmental psychology, and developmental psychopathology, and holds great promise to advance understanding regarding the earliest roots of these disorders.