Koregulatsioon

Koregulatsioon, a term derived from Finnish, describes the process where individuals mutually influence each other's emotional states and physiological arousal. This concept is particularly prominent in developmental psychology and attachment theory, highlighting how early caregiver-child interactions shape a child's ability to self-regulate. A caregiver's attuned responses to a child's distress, such as providing comfort and soothing, help the child learn to manage their emotions. Over time, through repeated experiences of co-regulation, the child internalizes these strategies and develops their own capacity for self-regulation.

This dyadic process involves a sensitive back-and-forth exchange. When one individual is distressed or dysregulated, the other can offer support, reassurance, or a calming presence to help them return to a more balanced state. This can occur between parents and children, but also between romantic partners, friends, or even in therapeutic relationships. Effective koregulatsioon requires empathy, attunement, and the ability to read and respond to another person's emotional cues. It is a fundamental aspect of social bonding and emotional well-being, contributing to resilience and healthy interpersonal relationships throughout the lifespan. Difficulties in establishing secure attachment and experiencing consistent koregulatsioon in early life can lead to challenges in emotional regulation later in development.