Abstract
This study examined developmental differences in three aspects of distress and negative emotion, emotional regulation strategy (ERS), and adaptive behavior of preschool children under dental treatment. Seven younger children (3.1–3.9) and eight older children (5.0–6.5) were observed using checklists and an IC recorder. Data indicated that distress and negative emotion continued in the younger group but decreased or was absent in the older group in terms of emotional expression. All children in the younger group used the emotion-centered ERS more frequently as revealed by verbal expressions of rejection/avoidance and requests for help, whereas the older children used the problem-centered ERS defined as verbal expressions about treatment protocols in use, indicating that the problem-centered ERS was more effective for decreasing distress and negative emotions. The numbers of both passive and independent adaptive responses to the treatment were higher in the older group, but independent behaviors never exceeded passive behaviors in frequency. Overall these results may hold both theoretical and empirical implications for dealing with children undergoing dental treatment.
