Honors Program
Document Type
Thesis
Date of this Version
5-2024
Citation
Donner, K. 2024. An Analysis of Child Valence Bias Trajectories as a Result of Parental Factors: A Longitudinal Perspective. Undergraduate Honors Thesis. University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Abstract
Valence bias is an important part of how individuals perceive the world around them, and this is especially influential in terms of children’s development. This study used data from longitudinal data collection surveys consisting of 197 participants, ages 6-17, to investigate correlations between valence bias, puberty, parental conflict, emotion regulation, temperament, interpersonal regulation, trait anxiety, and personality. This research provides much sought-after knowledge in terms of how parental factors impact children’s development, specifically children's valence bias development. Previous research has shown that emotion regulation in parents, along with different parenting styles with equal levels of discipline and loving support largely influence children’s life satisfaction and mental health outcomes. No current study has looked at how children’s valence bias trajectories change over time, nor at these implications together, which was the goal of this current research. Overall, children who develop a more positive valence bias over 1-2 years report more frequent use of emotion regulation reappraisal at baseline, consistent with findings showing that better emotion regulation and a more positive valence bias both have implications for better life outcomes. lower state-trait anxiety and report more frequent use of emotion regulation reappraisal.
Comments
Copyright Kaylee Donner 2024.