Soothablility: A Review of Recent Findings
The concept of soothability is relatively new to the field of psychology, yet it has been gaining considerable attention in recent years. It has been defined as the ability to soothe oneself in the face of distress, both short-term and long-term (Rimmele, 2013). The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of recent research on soothability and to identify areas for future study.
The study of soothability has been largely confined to the field of clinical psychology, where it has been used to describe the ability to manage and reduce distress in clinical settings. Studies have demonstrated that individuals with higher soothability scores exhibit better coping strategies and fewer problem behaviors (Gardner & Wilson, 2018). It has also been associated with increased resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity (Rimmele, 2013).
In addition to its use in clinical settings, soothability has been studied in the context of everyday life. A study by Rimmele (2013) found that soothability was positively associated with positive affect and life satisfaction. Similarly, Gardner and Wilson (2018) found that soothability was associated with greater self-control, which in turn was associated with higher levels of overall wellbeing.
The assessment of soothability has been largely based on self-report measures. However, recent studies have begun to explore the use of physiological measures to assess soothability. For example, a study by Evers and colleagues (2020) found that individuals with higher soothability scores were more likely to exhibit a decrease in cortisol levels in response to a stressful task.
Overall, the research on soothability has identified a number of positive associations with psychological well-being. However, the field is still in its infancy and there is much that remains to be explored. For example, future research should examine the development of soothability over the lifespan and explore its implications for different populations. Additionally, further investigation into the use of physiological measures to assess soothability is needed.
In conclusion, soothability is a relatively new concept that has been gaining considerable attention in recent years. While the research to date has identified a number of positive associations with psychological well-being, there is much that remains to be explored. It is hoped that future research will help to further our understanding of this important area.
References
Evers, S., Jansen, A., van der Linden, E., & Kool, S. (2020). The influence of soothability on physiological reactivity. Psychology, 11(3), 138-145.
Gardner, A., & Wilson, M. (2018). The relationship between soothability and problem behaviour in children and adolescents. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 25(3), 1039-1045.
Rimmele, U. (2013). The concept of soothability: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 33(3), 374-384.