Affect consciousness or mentalization? A comparison of two concepts with regard to affect development and affect regulation.
Affect consciousness refers to the ability to adequately perceive, reflect upon and express affect. The concept is used in clinical work with adults, but lacks an equivalent for children's experience of affect. This paper examines the developmental prerequisites for affect consciousness, as well as the concept's applicability to work with children. The main focus is on the development of affect regulation throughout the first 6 years of life. Special emphasis is put on the role of attachment and the unfolding of mentalization ability in this development. The role of play as an organizing factor for affective experience is discussed. Observation of play is highlighted as a strong indicator of affect consciousness in children.
Mohaupt
Henning
H
Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway. Henning.Mohaupt@student.uib.no
Holgersen
Helge
H
Binder
Per-Einar
PE
Nielsen
Geir Høstmark
GH
D000339:Affect; D002648:Child; D003243:Consciousness; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D009769:Object Attachment; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012927:Social Control, Informal