Why in Equal Life we are looking at self-regulation and coping?

In the Equal-Life project, we're looking at self-regulation and coping as possible ways that the environment (exposome) might affect mental health and cognitive development outcomes.

Self-regulation is about how we control our thoughts, emotions, and actions to achieve goals. It's important for short-term tasks, like paying attention in class, as well as long-term goals, like doing well in school. Children who are good at self-regulation tend to be happier and do better in school later on. However, there isn't a single definition of self-regulation that everyone agrees on.

Coping is another way we handle stress. It involves efforts to control our emotions, thoughts, behavior, and even our bodies in response to stress. Kids who face many challenges might lose their confidence in coping, which can lead to negative outcomes. They might see threats everywhere and feel helpless, which makes them use avoidant coping strategies. This can create a cycle where poor coping leads to more challenges.