How Does Adult Dysregulation Impact a Child's Ability to Regulate?

A Dysregulated Adult Cannot Regulate a Child

The phrase "A dysregulated adult cannot regulate a child" highlights co-regulation, when a child relies on a caregiver to manage their behaviors and emotions. This is crucial as young children have yet to develop these skills and need a stable adult to create a nurturing environment for their growth. Throughout childhood, caregivers remain pivotal in shaping the child's emotional landscape, guiding them toward adopting more deliberate regulatory techniques (Paley et al., 2022).

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs), including conditions like postpartum depression and anxiety, have a profound effect on the emotional regulation capabilities of parents. According to Motherhood and Me, “about 15% to 20% of women of childbearing age worldwide experience postpartum depression, with high co-morbidity between depression and anxiety (40–66%)” (Grunberg et al, 2022). Risk factors for PMADs encompass a history of previous depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and chronic illness. It can be concluded that mental illness and its effects can affect a relationship between two parents as well as co-parenting. Caregivers’ ability to effectively coregulate the child and effectively work together as a unit is likely to be reassuring to the child and increase their healthy relationships and development.

Treatment Option

Untreated PMADs can markedly hinder the caregiver's capacity to cultivate a nurturing environment and provide optimal care, consequently resulting in adverse effects on the child. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been demonstrated to be effective in addressing PMADs by targeting automatic negative thought patterns, interrupting them, and replacing them with healthier thoughts. Research shows that CBT is effective in the treatment of PMADs during and after the birth of a baby (Connective Wellness Group, 2023).

Multicultural Approach

When supporting clients with diverse cultural backgrounds, adopting a multicultural approach is essential. This involves considering the client's perspectives, beliefs, and attitudes towards mental health, and making necessary adjustments to treatment approaches. By doing so, counselors can demonstrate cultural sensitivity and address the unique needs of each client while incorporating person-centered theories. This approach is particularly crucial in the context of PMADs and co-regulation, where understanding cultural factors can enhance the effectiveness of interventions and support systems for both the caregiver and the child.

References

Broderick, P.C., & Blewitt, P. (2020). The life span: Human development for helping professionals (5th Ed.). Pearson Education Inc.

Connective Wellness Group. (2023, May 8). What does effective therapy for treatment of PMADS look like?. https://connectionswellnessgroup.com/blog/what-does-effective-therapy-for-treatment-of-pmads-look-like/

Grunberg, V. A., Geller, P. A., Durham, K., Bonacquisti, A., & Barkin, J. L. (2022). Motherhood and Me (Mom-Me): The Development of an Acceptance-Based Group for Women with Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Symptoms. Journal of clinical medicine, 11(9), 2345. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11092345