Pathways to Adaptation: Self-Regulation and Ecological Assets—A View of the Issues

Abstract

Empirical research often treats self-regulation as homogenously affecting development across contexts, ignoring the oftentimes important role of contextual variation. However, the research in this issue explores how intentional self-regulation and contextual resources may combine to predict adaptive development across the life span. The articles are diverse in regard to the period of the life span they consider and in how they operationalize self-regulation, but are unified in indicating that intentional self-regulation helps individuals optimize their unique developmental trajectories.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This article was supported by grants from the John Templeton Foundation.