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Article
The Relationship Between Emotion Regulation and Executive Functioning After Sleep Restriction in Healthy Preschool Children
Western Undergraduate Psychology Journal
  • Jessica Danilewitz, B.A. Honours, Western University
  • Graham Reid, Ph.D., 1 Department of Psychology, The University of Western Ontario 2 Department of Family Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario 3 Department of Paediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario 4 Scientist, Children’s Health Research Institute
  • Kathryn Turnbull, Ph.D. Candidate, Western University
Disciplines
Abstract

Executive functions are a set of higher level cognitive processes that are necessary for the self-regulation of behavior and emotion, which allow individuals to guide attention engage in planned, goal-oriented behavior. Emotion regulation is the ability to control emotional arousal and adapt to the demands of the daily environment. Sleep has been demonstrated to be important for daily functioning in children, adolescents and adults. However, the impact of emotion regulation on the relationship between sleep and executive functioning in healthy preschool children has not yet been tested. This study investigated the relationship between emotion regulation, executive functions, and negative emotions after sleep restriction in healthy preschool children. It was hypothesized that emotion regulation scores would predict executive functioning scores and negative emotions, and that this relationship would be moderated by the amount of sleep restriction experienced by the participant. Participants were typically developing boys and girls between the ages of three to five years (N=55), without sleeping difficulties. A significant relationship between emotion regulation and Delay of Gratification was found. No other significant effects were found. Results are discussed in relation to previous literature and specific characteristics of the sample.

Citation Information
Jessica Danilewitz, Graham Reid and Kathryn Turnbull. "The Relationship Between Emotion Regulation and Executive Functioning After Sleep Restriction in Healthy Preschool Children"
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/graham-reid/5/