Conceptualization, Tasks and Neurobiological Correlates of Self-Regulation in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review of the Literature (2015-2020)
Journal
The Open Psychology Journal
ISSN
1874-3501
Date Issued
2022
Author(s)
Josefina Larraín-Valenzuela
Francisca Mardones
Elisa Ansoleaga
Leonie Kausel
Type
Resource Types::text::journal::journal article
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Abstract
<jats:sec> <jats:title>Background:</jats:title> <jats:p>Self-regulation is a complex capacity that favors the modification of behavior in accordance with environmental demands.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Objective:</jats:title> <jats:p>This article aims to review the scientific literature that conceptualizes self-regulation, analyze its potential latent dimensions, identify the instruments used to measure this construct and the empirical findings associated with its neurobiological correlates.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Methods:</jats:title> <jats:p>A systematic review of the scientific literature published between 2015 and 2020. We include 29 empirical studies on children and adolescents self-regulatory capacity after combining the words self-regulation with cognition, brain and neurosciences.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Results:</jats:title> <jats:p>Most of the articles included are from North America. A PICOS analysis was performed to increase understanding of self-regulatory capacity. Two dimensions of self-regulation are identified, contributing to a more global conceptualization of the concept of self-regulation; A cognitive dimension associated with executive functions, effortful control and inhibitory control, among others, and a dimension associated with personality, including traits such as irritability, impulsivity, openness and hyperactivity. Next, the instruments used to measure self-regulation are described, followed by a report of the important neurobiological findings, specifically, activation of the anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal and ventromedial prefrontal cortex.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusion:</jats:title> <jats:p>Self-regulatory capacity is associated with a complex functioning that favors adaptive behavior and has neurobiological correlates.</jats:p> </jats:sec>
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