In this study the relation between emotional regulation of the preadolescent and conversation regarding emotions in family setting is investigated. Seventy-four preadolescents (10 - 13 years old) of middle class families participated in this study; they composed two groups: one that always conversed at home and one that did not have that habit. To access emotional regulation two open-ended stories were used to compare groups considering: the estimated duration of the emotion, the strategies used to regulate them, and the occurrence of cognitive re-evaluation. There are significant differences in the occurrence of cognitive re-evaluation to deal with rage, found only in the group that regularly had conversations. Results suggest that family conversation concerning emotions can enhance the development of differentiated abilities to regulate emotions.
emotional regulation; preadolescence; family conversation
