Emotion polyregulation in preschoolers: Links to negative affect and child adjustment

Abstract This study examines preschoolers' use of multiple emotion regulation strategies (i.e., polyregulation) and their link to negative affect and adjustment. Fifty-seven children (51% girls; Mage = 4.26 years, SD = 1.04; 68% White, 7% Hispanic, 4% Asian, and 21% multiracial) participated in a laboratory frustration task in 2023. The number of strategies used (variety), the frequency of strategy change (switching), and the extent to which strategies were used with similar frequency (diversity) were used as indices of polyregulation. Younger preschoolers used less polyregulation than older children, and polyregulation in younger preschoolers effectively reduced negative affect. Furthermore, polyregulation was related to fewer behavioral problems, regardless of age. These findings underscore the importance of encouraging diverse strategies in early childhood.