Abstract

Relationships between mothers' understanding of the adaptive functions of emotions (emotion utilization) and their emotion risk factors (depression, difficulties with emotion regulation, and negative emotionality) were examined. Additionally, relationships between these variables and mothers self-reported parenting practices were analyzed. A sample of 57 caregiver-child dyads, the majority from a low-income minority population, was assessed. Results showed that mothers' negative emotionality predicted greater difficulties with emotion regulation, but that greater understanding of the adaptive functions of emotions/emotion utilization moderated this effect. Additionally, higher scores on emotion risk variables predicted less use of positive parenting practices (nurturing and reasoning) and higher reports of negative parenting practices (tendency to let problems go and inconsistency). However, greater understanding of the adaptive functions of emotions/emotion utilization buffered these detrimental effects. The potential implications for psychopathology treatment and parenting programs are discussed.