Dimensions Of Child Temperament Research Articles

Household chaos, child temperament, and structure-related feeding practices in toddlerhood: A moderation analysis

Structure-related feeding practices may promote intuitive child eating behaviors and foster responsiveness to internal cues of hunger and satiety. Caregivers' ability to engage in structure-related feeding practices likely depends on a complex ecology of factors, including household- and child-characteristics. This study examined associations between household chaos and structure-related feeding practices, and the moderating effect of child temperament. Data were from 275 caregiver-toddler dyads from central Ohio. Child temperament was reported by caregivers when children were 18 months of age, whereas household chaos and structure-related feeding practices were reported by caregivers when children were 36 months of age. Multivariable linear regression models were constructed to assess the relationship between chaos and structure-related feeding practices. Interaction terms between household chaos and three dimensions of child temperament were tested to determine whether temperament moderated the relationship between chaos and structure-related feeding practices. Household chaos was not independently associated with structure-related feeding practices, but higher levels of child effortful control were associated with greater mealtime structure. There was a statistically significant interaction between household chaos and child temperamental surgency, such that greater levels of chaos were associated with less structured mealtimes, but only when children had low-surgency. Findings suggest household chaos and child temperament inform caregiver feeding practices, but the influence of chaos may depend on more proximal factors, like child temperament. Recommendations to improve caregiver-child feeding interactions should be sensitive to characteristics of the broader family home environment.

0120 Interactions between Temperament and Parent-Child Relationship Quality in Early Childhood and Sleep in Middle Childhood

Abstract Introduction Effects of child temperament on biopsychosocial outcomes, including sleep, are known to differ based on parent-child relationship quality (PCRQ). However, previous studies have primarily focused solely on early childhood, relied on subjective reports of PCRQ and sleep, and have neglected to examine variability in sleep, which is an important dimension of sleep health. We examined whether there were interactions between temperament and objectively measured PCRQ during early childhood in association with actigraphy measured sleep (average and variability) in middle childhood. Methods Participants included 90 preschoolers (mean age=4.24 years, SD=0.81) who were 47% female; 37% White, 17% Black, 47% other racial groups; and 46% Hispanic. Thirty-four percent experienced moderate to severe maltreatment. PCRQ was coded from a video-recorded free-play task between each child and their primary caregiver. Child temperament dimensions including Activity Level, Anger, Social Fear, Inhibitory Control, and Appropriate Attentional Allocation were measured with the parent-report Toddler Behavior Assessment Questionnaire. Child Mean and SDs of total sleep time (TST) and sleep efficiency (SE) were generated from actigraphy data collected for two weeks during a follow-up study when participants were ages 8-11. Results There were no direct effects of any of the temperament variables or PCRQ on sleep. In models adjusted for demographic characteristics and number of adversities experienced, greater attentional allocation was associated with greater average TST only among those children high in PCRQ (estimate = 20.59, 95% CI = 5.19, 35.99). For every one unit increase in attentional allocation score (possible range 1:7), there is a more than 20 min increase in mean TST. In contrast, greater activity levels were associated with better average sleep efficiency, only among those low in PCRQ (estimate = 2.35, 95% CI = 0.46, 4.24). For each unit increase in activity level score, there was a 2% increase in sleep efficiency. Conclusion Findings extend cross-sectional research in early childhood and provide support for models showing that children have differing susceptibility to the effects of temperament on sleep, depending on PCRQ. Support (if any) NIMH R01 MH083704, NICHD R01 HD086487, NICHD, R01 HD095837, SRCD Small Grant for Early Career Scholars, T32HD101392, NIGMS P20 GM139767.

Associations Between Technology Use, Responsive Feeding, and Child Temperament Among Prior Prenatal Intervention Participants.

The primary objective was to examine associations between mothers' television and mobile device (TV/MD) use and responsive feeding during an observed mother-toddler mealtime interaction. The secondary objective was to assess whether dimensions of child temperament were associated with mothers' TV/MD use. Participants from a prenatal lifestyle intervention trial to prevent excess gestational weight gain among women with overweight and obesity (N = 77) were observed during a dinner-time meal when their children were aged 19.4 ± 0.9 months. Trained video coders used the Responsiveness to Child Feeding Cues Scale to rate child strength of early/subtle, positive active, and negative active satiation cues and maternal responsiveness to these cues. Coders also recorded mothers' use of TV/MD. Child temperament was reported by mothers through the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised Very Short Form. Twelve percent (n = 9) of mothers used TV/MD during the mealtime interaction. Children whose mothers used TV/MD exhibited stronger early/subtle cues (4.1 ± 0.4) compared with children whose mothers did not use TV/MD (3.4 ± 0.2; p = 0.04). Mothers who used TV/MD exhibited significantly lower responsiveness to child satiation cues (2.0 ± 0.4) than those who did not use TV/MD (3.4 ± 0.2; p = 0.001). Greater child temperamental negative affectivity was associated with a greater likelihood of maternal TV/MD use (OR = 4.80, 95% CI = 1.21, 19.03). Mothers' TV/MD use was associated with greater child temperamental negative affectivity and lower responsiveness to child cues.

Preschool children’s temperament and its associations with energy intake

Abstract Background and objectives Child's temperament dimensions have been linked with different weight outcomes as well as dietary factors such as consumption of fruit and vegetables, sugar-rich foods and drinks and an overall dietary quality. Links between temperament dimensions and energy intake, however, remain under-examined. This study expands the literature by investigating associations between child's temperament dimensions and energy intake. Methods Altogether 505 Finnish children aged 3-6 years provided data for the analyses. The data is a part of the DAGIS (Increased Health and Wellbeing in Preschools) study conducted in 2015-2016. Child's energy intake was measured with 3-day food records. To be included, children had to 1) have food record for two preschool days and one weekend day and 2) to have consumed both lunch and an afternoon snack in the preschool on the two preschool days. The very short form of Children's Behavior Questionnaire was used to measure child's temperament dimensions. Concurrent associations between three temperament dimensions (surgency, negative affectivity, and effortful control) and energy intake were examined using linear regression models adjusted for child's age, sex, mother's highest education, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Results Surgency, temperament dimension referring to characteristics such as impulsivity, high activity level and high approach, was positively associated with energy intake. Effortful control or negative affectivity were not associated with energy intake. Conclusions The findings imply that temperamental surgency may be one relevant determinant of energy intake among preschool children. The result is in line with previous studies linking child's surgency as well as its specific facets, such as impulsivity, with weight outcomes and food approach behaviors. Considering child's individual temperament dimensions when counselling families in eating issues could be beneficial. Key messages • Surgency, a temperament dimension referring to characteristics such as impulsivity, high activity level and high approach, was positively associated with energy intake. • When promoting children’s balanced eating, tailored support for parents acknowledging child’s temperament could be beneficial.

Interactive Effects of Temperament and Family-Related Environmental Confusion on Spoken Language in Children Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of caregivers' reports of family-related environmental confusion-which refers to the level of overstimulation in the family home environment due to auditory and nonauditory (i.e., visual and cognitive) noise-on the relation between child temperament and spoken language outcomes in children who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) in comparison to age-matched children with typical hearing (TH). Two groups of families with children between 3 and 7 years of age (TH = 59, DHH = 58) were sequentially recruited from a larger longitudinal study on developmental outcomes in children who are DHH. Caregivers (all TH) completed questionnaires measuring three dimensions of child temperament (i.e., effortful control, negative affectivity, and surgency-extraversion) and family-related environmental confusion. A norm-referenced language measure was administered to children. Testing took place within the families' homes. For children who are DHH, effortful control was positively related to spoken language outcomes, but only when levels of family-related environmental confusion were low to moderate. Family-related environmental confusion did not interact with temperament to influence spoken language in children with TH. Homes with low-to-moderate levels of environmental confusion provide an environment that supports DHH children with better effortful control to harness their self-regulatory skills to achieve better spoken language comprehension than those with lower levels of effortful control. These findings suggest that efforts to minimize chaos and auditory noise in the home create an environment in which DHH children can utilize their self-regulatory skills to achieve optimal spoken language outcomes.

Associations between hair and salivary cortisol, salivary alpha-amylase, and temperament dimensions among 3–6-year-olds

Associations between hair cortisol concentration (HCC), diurnal salivary cortisol (sCort) and alpha-amylase (sAA), and temperament dimensions were examined among 3–6-year-old Finnish children (n = 833). Children's hair samples were collected at preschool, while parents collected five saliva samples from children during one weekend day and completed a questionnaire assessing child's temperament dimensions i.e. surgency, negative affectivity, and effortful control (HCC, n = 677; AUCg of sAA, n = 380; AUCg of sCort, n = 302; temperament dimensions, n = 751). In linear regression analysis, diurnal sCort associated positively with HCC, the association persisting after adjustments (β 0.31, 95% CI 0.20–0.42). In logistic regression analysis, increasing scores in effortful control associated with higher likelihood of having high HCC (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.07–2.03), the association slightly attenuating to non-significant after adjustments. Otherwise, no clear indication for associations between temperament and stress-related biomarkers were found.

The roles of child temperament and interviewer support on children's reports of adult wrongdoing

Researchers have demonstrated that interviewer supportive behaviors positively affect children's abilities to provide information about their experiences in many circumstances, but there is some evidence that supportiveness effects may be influenced by children's temperament. The associations among interviewer support, child temperament, and children's propensity to disclose adult transgressions during free recall remain unclear. Children (N = 132) 5 to 9 years old partook in an event where an adult confederate committed six transgressions. The children were interviewed a few days later; half by a supportive interviewer and half by a neutral interviewer. Within two to three months of their participation, the children's teachers completed a questionnaire to describe each child's temperament. While interviewer support did not predict these children's disclosure of transgressions, dimensions of child temperament and individual factors did. Specifically, children's disclosure tendencies were predicted by how socially flexible and task-oriented they were. Additionally, the interviewers' questioning behavior was impacted by children's level of reactivity. Taken together with other research, the results provide further evidence that behaviors of both the interviewers and the children in the interview process are relevant to facilitating children's disclosures of sensitive information.

Sex differences in associations between early adversity, child temperament, and behavior problems

Early adversity is associated with both internalizing and externalizing problems among children, and effects of adversity on dimensions of child temperament may underlie these links. However, very little is known about the role of child sex in these processes. The current study examined whether there are indirect effects of early adversity on behavior problems through dimensions of child temperament and whether these indirect effects vary across child sex. Participants in this multimethod (parent-report survey, semistructured interview, child protection records) study included 274 preschool-aged children (Mage = 50.86 months; 52% with documented case of moderate to severe maltreatment) and their primary caregivers assessed at two time points spaced 6 months apart. Results of multigroup path analyses revealed that while anger mediated associations between lifetime stress and behavior problems for the full sample, inhibitory control and appropriate attentional allocation were significant intermediary mechanisms of lifetime stress for boys, but not for girls. Inhibitory control mediated associations between maltreatment and behavior problems for the full sample, but appropriate attentional allocation mediated these associations for boys only. Results suggest that early adversity influences child behavior problems through child temperament, particularly for boys. This work supports the perspective that temperament is influenced by characteristics of the early rearing environment, and the indirect effects of adversity on behavior problems through temperament vary across sex.

Pathways to social-emotional functioning in the preschool period: The role of child temperament and maternal anxiety in boys and girls

Individual differences in social-emotional functioning emerge early and have long-term implications for developmental adaptation and competency. Research is needed that specifies multiple early risk factors and outcomes simultaneously to demonstrate specificity. Using multigroup longitudinal path analysis in a sample of typically developing children (N = 541), we examined child temperament dimensions (surgency, negative affectivity, and regulation/effortful control) and maternal anxiety in infancy and age 2 as predictors of child externalizing, internalizing, dysregulation, and competence behaviors at age 3. Four primary patterns emerged. First, there was stability in temperament dimensions and maternal anxiety from infancy to age 3. Second, negative affectivity was implicated in internalizing problems and surgency in externalizing problems. Third, effortful control at age 2 was a potent mediator of maternal anxiety in infancy on age 3 outcomes. Fourth, there was suggestive evidence for transactional effects between maternal anxiety and child effortful control. Most pathways operated similarly for boys and girls, with some differences, particularly for surgency. These findings expand our understanding of the roles of specific temperamental domains and postnatal maternal anxiety in a range of social-emotional outcomes in the preschool period, and have implications for efforts to enhance the development of young children's social-emotional functioning and reduce risk for later psychopathology.

Weight-related quality of life and temperament as predictors and moderators of outcomes among treatment-seeking, low-income, ethnically diverse children with obesity.

Within any childhood obesity treatment program, some children have better outcomes than others. Little is known about predictors or moderators of more positive outcomes. We aimed to identify whether child temperament and weight-related quality of life predict or moderate childhood obesity treatment outcomes at 6 months. From 2015 to 2016, children (n = 97) ages 5-11 years old with obesity were randomized to a clinic-community (Bull City Fit) or a clinic-only treatment program. Linear regression was used to explore whether dimensions of child temperament and weight-related quality of life predicted or moderated 6-month anthropometric and physical activity outcomes. Children who had more social avoidance due to their weight at baseline had significantly better improvements in body fat percent in the clinic-community model compared with the clinic-only model at 6 months. Across programs, better baseline social quality of life predicted greater increases in waist circumference; conversely, better physical quality of life predicted a decrease in percent of the 95th percentile. Also, children with longer attention spans had greater increases in physical activity. Our findings suggest that children who have social avoidance due to their weight may benefit most from comprehensive clinic-community treatment. Weight-related quality of life may influence outcomes across all treatments, and practitioners need to carefully counsel children experiencing weight negatively.

Predicting child temperament and behavior from the fetus.

There remains little debate that the period before birth sets the stage for subsequent development, yet scant evidence exists showing continuity from characteristics of the individual fetus to characteristics of the child. This report examines, in two studies, whether baseline and evoked fetal neurobehavioral functioning are predictive of features of child temperament and behavior as reported by mothers when offspring were between 7 and 14 years old (M = 10.1 years). Study 1 utilizes data generated from 333 maternal-fetal pairs collected during an undisturbed condition during the second half of gestation in relation to the child temperament dimensions of behavioral inhibition and exuberance. Associations at 32 weeks gestation were detected between all features of fetal neurobehavior and behavioral inhibition. In adjusted models, slower fetal heart rate and less fetal movement were associated with significant unique variance in predicting higher levels of childhood behavioral inhibition. No associations were detected for exuberance. Study 2 focuses on the association of evoked fetal reactivity and recovery to induced maternal arousal with subsequent child behavioral difficulties in a subset of the full sample (n = 130). Greater recovery in fetal heart rate following maternal stimulation was predictive of fewer behavioral difficulties and more prosocial behavior in childhood. Results from both studies provide support for gestational origins of core individual differences that portend childhood outcomes with foundational reactivity and regulatory components.

Identifying a borderline personality disorder prodrome: Implications for community screening.

Elucidating early signs and symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) has important implications for screening and identifying youth appropriate for early intervention. The purpose of this study was to identify dimensions of child temperament and psychopathology symptom severity that predict conversion to a positive screen for BPD over a 14-year follow-up period in a large, urban community sample of girls (n=2450). Parent and teacher reports of child temperament and psychopathology symptom severity assessed when girls were ages 5-8years were examined as predictors of new-onset BPD cases when girls were ages 14-22years. In the final model, parent and teacher ratings of emotionality remained significant predictors of new-onset BPD. Additionally, parent ratings of hyperactivity/impulsivity and depression severity, as well as teacher ratings of inattention severity, were also predictive. Results also revealed that elevations in these dimensions pose a notable increase in risk for conversion to BPD over the follow-up period. Supplementary analyses revealed that with the exception of parent-reported depression severity, these same predictors were associated with increases in BPD symptom severity over the follow-up period. These findings suggest BPD onset in adolescence and early adulthood can be detected from parent and teacher reports of temperament and symptom severity dimensions assessed in childhood. The identification of this prodrome holds promise for advancing early detection of children at risk prior to the development of the full-blown disorder. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

An exploratory genetic analysis: Associations between parent depression symptoms, child temperament, and the serotonin transporter gene polymorphism (5HTTLPR)

Child temperament has been shown to be biologically based and heritable; however, genetic association studies of temperament have been fairly inconclusive, and the role that parental depressive symptoms play is largely unexplored in this context. The relationship between parent depressive symptoms and the child temperament dimensions of fear and activity level (AL) were examined in 100 sibling pairs 2.5–5.5 years of age and their mothers. Parent reports of child temperament and parent self‐reports of depressive symptoms were obtained from families, as well as DNA samples from each child during their lab visit. Associations between the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) polymorphism 5‐HTTLPR/rs25531 and the phenotypic variables were also explored. Parent depressive symptoms were significantly related to higher child AL, but minimally associated with fear outcomes. More powerful regression analyses revealed that parent depressive symptoms, child gender, and child age predicted child AL, but only child gender and age predicted child fear. In our exploratory candidate gene analyses, the low‐expressing genotypes of the 5‐HTTLPR/rs25531 polymorphism predicted child fearfulness, but not child AL. Our phenotypic findings indicate that a child with at least one parent with depressive symptoms is more likely to have higher AL, and results of the initial genetic analyses show that the 5‐HTTLPR/rs25531 polymorphism is associated with child fearfulness. Future research employing larger samples, observational assessments, and related child behavioral maladjustment measures will further clarify these findings.

Child Temperament and Home-Based Parent Involvement at Kindergarten Entry: Evidence From a Low-Income, Urban Sample

ABSTRACTResearch Findings: Home-based involvement—defined as the actions parents take to promote children’s learning outside of school—is often the most efficient way for low-income parents to be involved with their children’s education. However, there is limited research examining the factors predicting home-based involvement at kindergarten entry for low-income families. This is a notable oversight given established links between parent involvement and children’s educational outcomes. To learn more about this gap, we used data from 220 low-income, urban students to examine associations between 4 dimensions of child temperament—negative reactivity, task persistence, withdrawal/shyness, and motor activity—and home-based parent involvement. Parent–child conflict was also examined as a mechanism explaining associations between dimensions of child temperament and parent involvement. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that a withdrawn/shy temperament in children predicted lower levels of home-based parent involvement, whereas a task-persistent temperament predicted higher levels of home-based parent involvement. Parent–child conflict partially mediated the relationship between task persistence and home-based parent involvement. Practice or Policy: Results expand understanding of home-based involvement at kindergarten entry in low-income families and illuminate the need to consider child temperament within the context of early intervention programs.

Attitudes Regarding Analgesic Use and Pain Expression in Parents of Children With Cancer

Children with cancer often experience significant levels of pain and their pain is generally undermanaged. Management of care to patients with cancer has shifted from the hospital to the home, and as such parents are charged with managing children's pain. However, parents may have misconceptions of analgesic use, which can lead to undertreatment of pain in children. The purpose of this study is to examine attitudes toward pain medication and perceptions of pain expression among parents of children undergoing cancer treatment. Parents of children who were undergoing cancer treatment at a hospital were recruited to take part in a survey study. A total of 187 parents completed a survey examining their attitudes toward medication and perceptions of pain expression in children. Many parents reported concerns regarding analgesic use to treat their children's pain and misconceptions about how children can express pain. Regression analyses noted that parental perceptions of pain expression were related to children's experience of chronic or recurring pain and the 2 dimensions of child temperament: emotionality and sociability. Many parents of children with cancer have misconceptions regarding issues of pain management; these misconceptions can potentially lead to undertreatment of pain in children. These misconceptions are associated with aspects of children's temperament.

Anxiousness, Frustration, and Effortful Control as Moderators of the Relation between Parenting and Adjustment in Middle‐childhood

AbstractInteractions among multiple dimensions of child temperament and parenting were tested as predictors of change in child adjustment problems using a community sample (N = 188) of children (8–12 years). Significant interactions suggested that the effect of parenting on changes in problems were dependent upon temperament and, in some cases, child sex. Effortful control mitigated the potential negative impact of inconsistent discipline and physical punishment on externalizing problems, whereas frustration exacerbated the effects of inconsistent discipline and rejection. Anxiousness moderated parenting only for boys, mitigating the impact of inconsistent discipline on internalizing and externalizing problems but exacerbating the effects of physical punishment on externalizing problems. Implications for identifying children at risk for developing adjustment problems and for parenting interventions are discussed.

The relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and child temperament

This study examined empirical and theoretical differences and similarities between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and child temperament in 32 ADHD children aged 6–11 years, and a comparison group of 23 children with similar sociodemographic characteristics. Children were assessed for ADHD symptoms (hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention) and dimensions of child temperament (negative reactivity, task persistence, activity, attentional focusing, impulsivity, and inhibitory control) using standardized parent reports and interviews. Symptoms of ADHD and temperament dimensions were correlated; children in the ADHD group had significantly higher scores on negative reactivity, activity and impulsivity, and lower scores on task persistence, attentional focusing and inhibitory control than normative samples. Results indicate that although the constructs of ADHD and temperament have been regarded as two separate bodies of knowledge, theoretical and empirical overlaps exist. Applied implications are discussed.

Interactions between child and parent temperament and child behavior problems

Objective Few studies of temperament have tested goodness-of-fit theories of child behavior problems. In this study, we test the hypothesis that interactions between child and parent temperament dimensions predict levels of child psychopathology after controlling for the effects of these dimensions individually. Methods Temperament and psychopathology were assessed in a total of 175 children (97 boys, 78 girls; mean age, 10.99 years; SD, 3.66 years) using composite scores from multiple informants of the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory and the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment. Parent temperament was assessed using the adult version of the Temperament and Character Inventory. Statistical analyses included multiple regression procedures to assess the contribution of child-parent temperament interactions after controlling for demographic variables, other types of child psychopathology, and the individual Temperament and Character Inventory and Junior Temperament and Character Inventory dimensions. Results Interactions between child and parent temperament dimensions predicted higher levels of externalizing, internalizing, and attention problems over and above the effects of these dimensions alone. Among others, the combination of high child novelty seeking with high maternal novelty was associated with child attention problems, whereas the combination of high child harm avoidance and high father harm avoidance was associated with increased child internalizing problems. Many child temperament dimensions also exerted significant effects independently. Conclusions The association between a child temperament trait and psychopathology can be dependent upon the temperament of parents. These data lend support to previous theories of the importance of goodness-of-fit.

Measurement of Child Temperament: Implications for Researchers, Clinicians and Caregivers

Child temperament has been of interest to researchers clinicians, and caregivers for many years The New York Longitudinal Study identified nine dimensions of child temperament, several additional investigations have contributed to the development of this important construct These studies and the subsequent development of temperament instruments have stimulated debate, research, and opposing theories Currently, there is not a single definition of temperament and there are many psychometric problems with the available temperament instruments However, temperament in children will continue to raise interesting questions for parents, researchers, clinicians, and caregivers.

Child and Maternal Temperament Characteristics, Goodness of Fit, and Adjustment in Physically Handicapped Children

We investigated temperament characteristics and their goodness of fit as potentially important moderators of adjustment in children with congenital physical disabilities. The mothers of fifty 6-to 11-year-olds with spina bifida or cerebral palsy completed questionnaires designed to separately assess their children's and their own temperament along five dimensions (activity, distractibility, adaptability/approach, rhythmicity, and reactivity) and their children's adjustment in three areas (internalizing behavior problems, externalizing behavior problems, and social competence). We found disabled children's adjustment to be significantly worse than that of a normative comparison group. We also found significant multivariate relationships between child temperament (but not maternal temperament) and child adjustment. However, knowledge of maternal rhythmicity enhanced predictions of some child adjustment dimensions beyond that afforded by salient child temperament dimensions. The goodness-of-fit model, in whi...