Somatovisceral Influences on Emotional Development

Frameworks of emotional development have tended to focus on how environmental factors shape children's emotion understanding. However, individual experiences of emotion represent a complex interplay between both external environmental inputs and internal somatovisceral signaling. Here, we discuss the importance of afferent signals and coordination between central and peripheral mechanisms in affective response processing. We propose that incorporating somatovisceral theories of emotions into frameworks of emotional development can inform how children understand emotions in themselves and others. We highlight promising directions for future research on emotional development incorporating this perspective, namely afferent cardiac processing and interoception, immune activation, physiological synchrony, and social touch.

Automated summary

Frameworks of emotional development have traditionally focused on the influence of environmental factors on children's emotion understanding. However, individual experiences of emotion are influenced by a complex interplay of external inputs and internal bodily signals. This article highlights the importance of incorporating somatovisceral theories of emotions into frameworks of emotional development to enhance children's understanding of emotions in themselves and others. It discusses potential future research directions, including afferent cardiac processing and interoception, immune activation, physiological synchrony, and social touch.