Co-regulation: supportive adult-youth processes that enable self-regulation development¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 1 claim (1 for) · 1 study (1 design), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description¶

Co-regulation is the supportive process between adults and youth through which self-regulation develops. The brief defines it as a process in which "Support, coaching, and modeling are provided to facilitate a youth's ability to understand, express, and modulate their thoughts, feelings, and behavior." It comprises three caregiver roles: teaching skills through modeling, practice opportunities, monitoring and coaching; providing a warm, responsive relationship where youth feel safe to learn and make mistakes; and structuring the environment to make self-regulation manageable. The brief presents co-regulation supports from caregivers as a critical supplement to skills training.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Caregivers, teachers, or mentors who can serve as self-regulation coaches; the brief notes self-regulation coaching for adolescents will likely require training, as this goes beyond simply serving as a role model.

Constraints¶

• Youth living in chronic adversity are less likely to have caregivers who themselves have the resources for their own self-regulation and for co-regulation.

Target Learners¶

• Adolescents and young adults aged 14 to 25

Target Learning Objectives¶

• Self-regulation skills including persisting, problem-solving, delaying gratification, goal setting and monitoring, decision-making, managing negative emotions and stress, and help-seeking

Claims¶

• Training SRAE facilitators significantly increased their self-reported knowledge of self-regulation [+W]

Related Theories¶

• Co-regulation framework: three domains of adult support surrounding youth self-regulation, with adult self-regulation central

Examples¶

• Include parents, teachers, or mentors in any self-regulation intervention and support their own skills and coaching capacity

Key Sources¶

• Murray, D. W. & Rosanbalm, K. (2017). Promoting Self-Regulation in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Practice Brief. OPRE Report #2015-82. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/resource/self-regulation-and-toxic-stress-implications-for-programs-and-practice