Predicting child problem behaviour at school age: The role of maternal sensitivity, child temperament and theory of mind

Abstract

AbstractThe present longitudinal study aims at investigating the interplay between child temperament, mother–child interaction quality and child Theory of Mind (ToM) at preschool age with regard to the development of child problem behavior at school age in 115 participants. Maternal sensitivity and child temperament were assessed when children were 4 years old. At 5 years of age, child ToM was assessed. At 8 years of age, child problem behavior was assessed. Results showed that child problem behavior was independently predicted by child temperamental negative affectivity and maternal sensitivity. The current study underlines the important role of both endogenous as well as exogenous factors for healthy child development.