Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire-Revised Research Articles

Understanding the interplay of temperament and adolescent substance use: A case–control study

Background: Temperament is a relatively stable individual characteristic. Temperament predicts many consequential outcomes throughout life. Different dimensions of temperament lead to different patterns of responses to external stimuli. Dimensions such as activity level and negative emotionality are related to risk-promoting behavior like substance use in adolescents. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included 35 adolescents in the age group of 10–17 years. We included adolescents attending outpatient clinics and inpatient services who were diagnosed with mental disorders due to substance use according to ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. We also included 35 healthy controls. All study participants in the case and control groups were assessed using the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire-Revised (EATQ-R) scale. Results: When temperament was assessed using the EATQ-R, the mean scores were highest for frustration, aggression, surgency, and depressed mood, but were lowest for shyness in the study group. While comparing temperament between the study group and the control group, significant differences were found between activation control (p < 0.05), aggression (p < 0.001), attention (p < 0.001), depressed mood (p < 0.05), fear (p < 0.001), inhibitory control (p < 0.001), shyness (p < 0.001), and surgency (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Temperament plays a significant rôle in adolescent substance use. Person-specific treatment can be designed to provide better care and management of patients in taking temperament into account.

The Development of Shyness from Late Childhood to Adolescence: A Longitudinal Study of Mexican-Origin Youth

Shyness, the tendency to be inhibited and uncomfortable in novel social situations, is a consequential personality trait, especially during adolescence. The present study examined the development of shyness from late childhood (age 10) through adolescence (age 16) using data from a large, longitudinal study of Mexican-origin youth (N = 674). Using both self- and mother-reports of shyness assessed via the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire–Revised, we found moderate to high rank-order stabilities across 2-year intervals and a mean-level decrease in shyness from age 10 to 16. Anxiety and depression were associated with higher initial levels of shyness, and anxiety was associated with greater decreases in shyness from age 10 to 16. Contrary to predictions, neither nativity (country of birth) nor language proficiency (English, Spanish) was associated with the development of shyness across adolescence. Thus, youth generally decline in shyness during adolescence, although there is substantial individual variability in shyness trajectories.

The structure of adolescent temperament and associations with psychological functioning: A replication and extension of Snyder et al. (2015).

The present study attempts to replicate and extend Snyder et al. (2015, JPSP). The original study examined the latent factor structure of the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire-Revised (EATQ-R), a commonly used measure of adolescent temperament, and showed that the resulting latent factors (i.e., effortful control, negative emotionality, and positive emotionality) had theoretically meaningful concurrent associations with several measures of adolescent functioning (depression, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD], relational aggression, and school performance and behavior). We performed these same analyses using data from a large sample of Mexican-origin youth (N = 674), and also examined prospective associations between the three EATQ-R factors and measures of adolescent functioning assessed two years later. We found some evidence supporting the bifactor models reported in the original study but poor replication of the correlations among latent factors. Additionally, model comparisons demonstrated that correlated factors models produced more interpretable factors than the bifactor models. In contrast, we replicated most of the concurrent correlations (and extended the findings to prospective associations) between the EATQ-R factors and measures of adolescent functioning, supporting the construct validity of the EATQ-R as a measure of adolescent temperament. Thus, these findings raise concerns about the generalizability of the factor structure identified by Snyder et al. (2015), but bolster claims about the generalizability of the concurrent and predictive validity of the EATQ-R. Overall, differences between the present findings and those of Snyder et al. (2015) highlight the importance of ongoing construct validation in youth temperament research, especially with participants from groups traditionally underrepresented in psychological research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Effortful Control and Prefrontal Cortex Functioning in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An fNIRS Study.

Effortful control (EC) is an important dimension of temperament, but is impaired in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While EC is associated with the prefrontal cortex (PFC) functioning in typically developing (TD) children, it is unclear whether EC deficits are associated with PFC dysfunction in ASD. This study examines the relationship between EC and PFC activation and connectivity in children with high-functioning ASD. Thirty-nine right-handed children (ASD: n = 20; TD: n = 19) aged 8–12 years were recruited. The EC level was assessed with the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire—Revised (EATQ-R), and PFC functioning, in terms of activation and connectivity during a frontal-sensitive (n-back) task, was assessed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Children with ASD showed a significant deficit in EC and its related constructs (i.e., executive, and socioemotional functions) compared to TD controls. They also showed significantly increased overall PFC activation and reduced right frontal connectivity during the n-back task. Among children with ASD, the EC level correlated significantly with neither PFC activation nor connectivity; it significantly correlated with social functioning only. This study demonstrated EC deficits and altered PFC functioning in children with ASD, but the exact neural basis of EC deficits remains to be determined.

Reliability and validity of the self-report version of the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire - Revised (EATQ-R) Short Form in a Turkish sample.

This paper presents the first study to examine the psychometric qualities of a Turkish translation and adaptation of the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire - Revised (EATQ-R). Participants included 1,109 Turkish adolescents (48.7% females) aged 11 to 15 years. Results showed that internal consistency of the broad EATQ-R factors ranged from .65 to .74, internal consistency of the 11 fine-grained scales was comparable to that reported for the original English instrument, and test-retest stability of EATQ-R scales ranged from .60 to .70. Principal axis factoring of the scales revealed a three-factor structure (Effortful Control, Surgency, and Affiliativeness) that roughly reflected the structure obtained in U.S. samples. Item-level factor analysis revealed and confirmed eight factors consistent with a priori scales. Concurrent validity, assessed through correlations between EATQ-R and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) subscales, found that Effortful Control was negatively correlated with Total Difficulties and Hyperactivity-Inattention Problems; Effortful Control, Affiliativeness, and Surgency were positively correlated with Prosocial Behaviors; and Frustration was linked to Emotional, Conduct, Hyperactivity-Inattention, and Total Difficulties. Our results suggest that the EATQ-R is a useful questionnaire to measure reactive and regulative temperamental traits in Turkish children and adolescents.

Factor Structure of the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire-Revised.

Early adolescence (typically aged 9-15 years) is a period of dramatic developmental change, and individual differences in temperament is likely to be an important predictor of the success with which individuals negotiate this period of life. Moreover, early adolescent temperament cannot be adequately captured by measures designed for other age groups. This study examined the empirical validity of the proposed temperament factors of the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire-Revised (EATQ-R) in a large representative sample of 2,453 early adolescents aged between 10 and 12 years of age, and compared it with models that include cross-loadings between items and first-order factors, as well as first- and second-order factors. Furthermore, the reproducibility of the factor structure established by using a cross validation approach. Adding cross-loadings to the EATQ-R fit the data substantially better, resulting in an overall good fit that the original EATQ-R model did not achieve. However, the conceptual interpretation of the first- and second-order factor structures were not substantially altered even with this addition of cross-loadings. Future research should establish the construct validity of the first- and second-order factors as measured by this empirically based factor structure.

Perceptual Clinical Features in Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (EILO): Toward Improved Diagnostic Approaches

IntroductionAthletes with exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) (previously commonly referred to as paradoxical vocal fold motion disorder, or paradoxical vocal fold motion, among other terms) are often misdiagnosed, resulting in prolonged, and at times inappropriate, clinical management. The high prevalence of misdiagnosis is largely due to a lack of universal consensus of key clinical features indicating EILO and a dearth of validated quantitative approaches to accurately detect episodic laryngeal breathing disorders (ELBD) from other pathologies. Additionally, mechanisms underlying EILO clinical presentation are poorly understood, further confounding identification and management of the condition. Therefore, the objectives of this study were twofold. The first was to identify patient-centered perception of symptoms that could distinguish adolescent athletes with EILO from athletes without the condition, at baseline (rest) and during an exercise challenge (provocation), and to quantify symptom severities for use as preliminary diagnostic benchmarks. The second objective was to investigate the merit of one commonly proposed mechanism in the EILO literature—stress reactivity (temperament)—by comparing personality traits in athletes with and without EILO. MethodsTwelve (12) athletes diagnosed with EILO and 14 healthy athletic volunteers without the condition were asked to rate the severity of their present symptoms using a 0–100 continuous visual analog scale. Participants then underwent an exercise challenge with simultaneous laryngoscopy and were asked to complete the same set of symptom severity ratings experienced during rigorous exercise. Finally, participants completed the Fear subscale on the early adolescent temperament questionnaire—revised (EATQ-R) to measure self-perceived levels of stress reactivity. ResultsThere were significant group differences for inspiratory and expiratory dyspnea with exercise (P = 0.01). Symptoms of stridor (EILO: P = .01; control: P = .001) and throat tightness (EILO: P = .01, control: P = .01) were statistically different between rest and exercise in both groups. However, no group differences were found on these two parameters (P > .05). Other symptoms from the list of previously purported symptoms indicative of ELBD (e.g. cough, dysphonia) were infrequently reported in the exercise variant. Additionally, measurements of stress reactivity on the EATQ-R Fear subscale were similar between the two athletic groups. Interestingly, EATQ-R Fear Subscale scores for both groups were significantly higher compared to typical adolescents in the U.S. population (P < .001, respectively). DiscussionResults suggest dyspnea severity, particularly when experienced during an exercise-induced ELBD (EILO) episode, is the most sensitive symptom parameter to distinguish individuals with EILO from those without the condition. These findings confirm previous literature describing episodic laryngeal breathing disorders in clinical cohorts. Results also showed symptoms of throat tightness and stridor is more prevalent during exercise, compared to rest. However, the level of their severity occurred variably across both groups of athletes and may point to a less robust indication of pathology. Finally, similarities to stress reactivity between the two athletic groups imply certain temperaments historically attributed to patients with EILO may instead better reflect temperaments in competitive young athletes, in general. ConclusionStudy findings highlight the importance of using normative comparisons in the study of episodic laryngeal breathing disorders to prevent overgeneralization of characteristics to clinical cohorts. Results also speak of the clinical utility of exercise challenge to improve specificity of EILO diagnosis.

Chilean Adaptation and Validation of the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire-Revised Version.

The aim of this study was to develop an adapted version of the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire-Revised (EATQ-R) that would be valid and reliable for assessing temperament and its components in Chileans between 12 and 18 years of age. Originally, Ellis and Rothbart (2001) developed this questionnaire (EATQ-R) to be used in North American adolescents. For the study in Chile, a translation protocol was developed, to maintain the original instrument's cultural and linguistic equivalence in the adapted version. Psychometric properties of the EATQ-R, such as factor structure, internal consistency, and convergent validity, were also assessed. The adaption and validation was carried out in two stages, with two different studies. The first study, which included 612 adolescent students from educational establishments in the cities of Santiago and Concepcion, Chile, developed the Chilean version of the 83-item EATQ-R, which has 13 dimensions, belonging to 4 theoretical factors with adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.79–0.82). The second study assessed the questionnaire's convergent validity, through its application to 973 adolescent students in Santiago. Results show that the effortful control subscale was significantly inversely related to indicators of adolescent maladjustment, such as substance abuse and behavioral problems. In addition, it was directly associated with indicators of self-concept, including self-esteem and self-efficacy. The opposite pattern was observed when considering negative affect. These findings coincide with current knowledge on the relationship between temperament and adjustment in adolescents.

The Effects of Child Maltreatment From Parents on Reactive Aggression Among Upper-Elementary-School Students and the Moderating Role of Effortful Control

Objective: This study examined the influences of child maltreatment and effortful control on reactive aggression among upper-elementary-school students and investigated whether children’s effortful control had any moderating effects on the relationship between child maltreatment and reactive aggression. Methods: The participants of this study consisted of 438 students (225 boys and 213 girls) from four elementary schools located in Seoul, Incheon, and the Gyeonggi Province. The level of reactive aggression was assessed via the Peer Conflict Scale (Marsee, Kimonis, & Frick, 2004). The Child Trauma Questionnaire (Bernstein & Fink, 1998) was used to measure the level of child maltreatment from parents. Effortful control was measured by the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire—Revised (Ellis & Rothbart, 2001). The statistical analyses of data for this study included descriptive statistics and hierarchical regressions. The moderating effect of effortful control was analyzed by using the procedures proposed by Baron and Kenny (1986). Results: The results of this study indicate that the level of child maltreatment increases the level of reactive aggression and that the level of effortful control decreases the level of reactive aggression for boys and girls. In addition, effortful control only moderated the influence of maltreatment on reactive aggression for girls. Conclusion: Higher levels of child maltreatment led to lower levels of child effortful control and (subsequently) higher levels of reactive aggression.

Temperament moderates the association between sleep duration and cognitive performance in children

The importance of sufficient sleep for cognitive performance has been increasingly recognized. Individual differences in susceptibility to effects of sleep restriction have hardly been investigated in children. We investigated whether individual differences in temperament moderate the association of sleep duration with sustained attention, inhibition, and working memory in 123 children (42% boys) aged 9 to 11 years. Sleep duration was assessed using parental diaries, and temperament traits of extraversion and negative affectivity were assessed by child self-report (Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire–Revised). Computerized assessment of sustained attention (short-form Psychomotor Vigilance Task, PVT), inhibition (PVT Go/No-Go adaptation), and working memory (visual Digit Span) were performed at school. Our findings demonstrate that long-sleeping introverted and negatively affective children show worse sustained attention and working memory than short-sleeping children with these temperaments.

Adolescent emotionality and effortful control: Core latent constructs and links to psychopathology and functioning.

Temperament is associated with important outcomes in adolescence, including academic and interpersonal functioning and psychopathology. Rothbart's temperament model is among the most well-studied and supported approaches to adolescent temperament, and contains 3 main components: positive emotionality (PE), negative emotionality (NE), and effortful control (EC). However, the latent factor structure of Rothbart's temperament measure for adolescents, the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire Revised (EATQ-R; Ellis & Rothbart, 2001) has not been definitively established. To address this problem and investigate links between adolescent temperament and functioning, we used confirmatory factor analysis to examine the latent constructs of the EATQ-R in a large combined sample. For EC and NE, bifactor models consisting of a common factor plus specific factors for some subfacets of each component fit best, providing a more nuanced understanding of these temperament dimensions. The nature of the PE construct in the EATQ-R is less clear. Models replicated in a hold-out dataset. The common components of high NE and low EC where broadly associated with increased psychopathology symptoms, and poor interpersonal and school functioning, while specific components of NE were further associated with corresponding specific components of psychopathology. Further questioning the construct validity of PE as measured by the EATQ-R, PE factors did not correlate with construct validity measures in a way consistent with theories of PE. Bringing consistency to the way the EATQ-R is modeled and using purer latent variables has the potential to advance the field in understanding links between dimensions of temperament and important outcomes of adolescent development.

The Temperament of School Aged Children who Stutter: Their View

Empirical studies concerning the temperament of school aged children who stutter (CWS) have been limited. CWS (aged 6 to 12) have been found to be more sensitive and withdrawn compared to their non-stuttering peers (Fowlie& Cooper, 1978; Oyler&Ramig, 1995) more anxious and introverted (Fowlie& Cooper, 1978) and less likely to take risks (Oyler, 1996). The questionnaires used in these studies involved parents making global judgements about their child rather than asking them to rate behaviours and reactions in specific situations. Given thenature of these questionnaires, parents’ ratings may have been influenced by common stereotypes of the temperament of a child who stutters, which may be stronger given the longer stuttering history of older children. While children's temperament has typically been measured using parent ratings, self-report isalso considered to be an important source of information, particularly when investigating older children's temperament. A significant part of temperament refers to internal and hidden reactions and tendencies that are not easily observable to others and therefore would not be measured via observational methods (Carver &Scheier, 1996; Matthews, Deary& Whiteman,2003; Muris et al., 2007). Children at age 7 and older seem to be able to reliably report about their own attributes, feelings, behaviours, and experiences (Danielson & Phelps, 2003;Measelle, John, Ablow, Cowan, & Cowan, 2005) and while parents tend to be better reporters of external behaviour, children are more accurate at conveying internal feelings, states and moods(Goodman, Ford, Simmons, Gatward, & Meltzer, 2000; Wrobel&Lachar, 1998). Using acomputerized self-report measure Simonds and Rothbart (2006) demonstrated that 7- to 10-year-olds were able to reliably report on their own temperament.The current study aims to investigate the temperament of children who stutter (CWS) and children who do not stutter (CWNS) aged 9:0 to 14:11 using a self-report questionnaire. Temperament was assessed using the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire –Revised (EATQ-R) (Ellis &Rothbart, 2001). This questionnaire conforms to the reactive and self regulative model of temperament as presented by Rothbart and colleagues (Rothbart& Bates,1998; Rothbart&Derryberry, 1981) and respondents are required to rate behaviours and reactions in specific situations (e.g., “I get angry quickly when teased”) rather than make global judgements about themselves e.g. “I am kind”). Items have been worded in a simple and straightforward manner as to limit misinterpretation.Data will be presented comparing CWS and CWNS on three broad temperament factors of ‘Effortful Control’, ‘Negative Affect, and ‘Surgency’. Additionally, the individual temperament dimensions of Activation Control, Activity, Affiliation, Attention, Fear, Frustration, Surgency/High Intensity Pleasure, Inhibitory Control, Perceptual Sensitivity, Pleasure Sensitivity, and Shyness will be examined along with two behavioural scales, namely Aggression and Depressive Mood. Findings will be presented in the context of current research and clinical implications.

Relations Between Adolescent Ratings of Rothbart's Temperament Questionnaire and the HEXACO Personality Inventory

Conventionally, individual differences have been assessed using temperament measures for infants and children, and personality measures for adults. We chose to explore both temperament and personality to see whether a convergence exists specifically during adolescence. A sample of 225 adolescents completed Rothbart's Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire–Revised (EATQ–R), a 4-factor temperament scale, and the HEXACO Personality Inventory–Revised (HEXACO PI–R), a 6-factor personality scale. As hypothesized, we found significant relations between the 2 measures. However, there were some important differences between the 2 measures regarding Honesty–Humility, Openness, and Frustration that highlight the unique contributions of both instruments to understanding and measuring adolescent individual differences. As there is a relatively scant history of measuring temperament or personality in adolescence, it is sometimes difficult for researchers to decide which instrument is most appropriate. The results reported here suggest that either the EATQ–R or the HEXACO PI–R could be appropriate, depending on the specific research questions being asked.

The relationship between hippocampal asymmetry and temperament in adolescent borderline and antisocial personality pathology

Investigating etiological processes early in the life span represents an important step toward a better understanding of the development of personality pathology. The current study evaluated the interaction between an individual difference risk factor (i.e., temperament) and a biological risk factor for aggressive behavior (i.e., atypical [larger] rightward hippocampal asymmetry) in predicting the emergence of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and antisocial personality disorder symptoms during early adolescence. The sample consisted of 153 healthy adolescents (M = 12.6 years, SD = 0.4, range = 11.4-13.7) who were selected from a larger sample to maximize variation in temperament. Interactions between four temperament factors (effortful control, negative affectivity, surgency, and affiliativeness), based on the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire-Revised, and volumetric measures of hippocampal asymmetry were examined as cross-sectional predictors of BPD and antisocial personality disorder symptoms. Boys were more likely to have elevated BPD symptoms if they were high on affiliation and had larger rightward hippocampal asymmetry. In boys, low affiliation was a significant predictor of BPD symptoms in the presence of low rightward hippocampal asymmetry. For girls, low effortful control was associated with elevated BPD symptoms in the presence of atypical rightward hippocampal asymmetry. This study builds on previous work reporting significant associations between atypical hippocampal asymmetry and poor behavioral regulation.

The Effect of Temperament on Emotion Regulation among Chinese Adolescents: the Role of Teacher Emotional Empathy

Hierarchical linear modeling techniques were used to explored individual and contextual factors of emotion regulation in a sample of 2074 adolescents from grade 7 through grade 12 and 54 head teachers in China mainland. Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ) and Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire-Revised (EATQ-R) were administered among students and Multi-Dimensional Emotional Empathy Scale (MDEES) among head teachers. Results showed that at the student level, Effortful Control and Affiliativeness were positively related to adolescents’ reappraisal whereas Surgency was inversely correlated with reappraisal after gender, grade level and parent’s education were controlled. And Negative Affect (NA) positively predicted suppression. At the teacher level, teachers’ Emotional Contagion promoted the impact of adolescent Surgency on reappraisal after teaching age was controlled. In addition, Responsive Crying, Emotional Attention and Feeling for Others enhanced the influence of NA upon Suppression among teachers. However, Positive Sharing weakened the negative association between NA and Suppression. These findings expand the understanding of the role of teacher empathy in adolescents’ emotional development, and have important implications for classroom management and teacher empathy training.

Reactive and self-regulatory temperament dimensions in relation to alcohol use in adolescence

The present study investigated the cross-sectional relations of reactive [Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS) and Behavioral Activation System (BAS)] and self-regulatory [effortful control (EC)] temperament dimensions with alcohol use in a community sample of adolescents aged 14 to 20 years. Participants completed the BIS/BAS Scales (Carver & White, 1994), the Effortful Control Scale of the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire Revised (EATQ-R; Ellis & Rothbart, 2001) and a subset of questions based on from the Teen Addiction Severity Index (T-ASI; Kaminer, Bukstein, & Tarter, 1991). Age of first use and quantity of alcohol use were predicted by the unique effect of BAS Fun Seeking. Frequency and quantity of alcohol use were predicted by the BAS Fun Seeking × EC interaction: High BAS Fun Seeking was related to frequency and quantity of alcohol use only if EC was low. Frequency of alcohol use was also predicted by the BAS Drive × EC interaction, but simple slope analysis revealed that the slopes were not significant, both at low EC and at high EC. The findings of the present study confirm and extend previous research and add to the growing literature of temperamental vulnerability to alcohol use in young populations.

Mediation of Sensation Seeking and Behavioral Inhibition on the Relationship Between Heart Rate and Antisocial Behavior

Why is low resting heart rate (HR) associated with antisocial behavior (ASB), i.e., aggression and rule breaking, in adolescence? Theory suggests that personality traits mediate this relationship but differently with age. In the present study this age-effect hypothesis is tested; we expected that the relationship between HR and aggression would be mediated in preadolescence by the personality trait behavioral inhibition, but not by sensation seeking. However, the relationship between HR and rule breaking in adolescence was predicted to be mediated by sensation seeking, but not by behavioral inhibition. Hypotheses were tested separately for boys and girls. HR in supine position was assessed in repondents to the TRacking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS) (N = 1,752; 48.5% boys) at age 11 years. Rule breaking and aggression at age 16 were assessed with two subscales from the Youth Self Report (YSR) questionnaire. Personality (i.e., sensation seeking and behavioral inhibition) was measured at ages 11, 13.5, and 16 with the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire-Revised (EATQ-R), Behavioral Inhibition System/ Behavioral Activation System (BIS/BAS) scales, or NEO Personality-Index Revised (NEO-PI-R). In boys, lower HR was associated with aggression and rule breaking in adolescence. The association between HR and rule breaking was mediated by sensation seeking in adolescence but not in preadolescence. Girls' HR was not associated with ASB, and no mediating effects were found. Our findings support the age-effect hypothesis in boys' rule breaking behavior. This shows that the association between HR and ASB depends on age, gender, and subtype of ASB.

Mediation of Sensation Seeking and Behavioral Inhibition on the Relationship Between Heart Rate and Antisocial Behavior: The TRAILS Study

Why is low resting heart rate (HR) associated with antisocial behavior (ASB), i.e., aggression and rule breaking, in adolescence? Theory suggests that personality traits mediate this relationship but differently with age. In the present study this age-effect hypothesis is tested; we expected that the relationship between HR and aggression would be mediated in preadolescence by the personality trait behavioral inhibition, but not by sensation seeking. However, the relationship between HR and rule breaking in adolescence was predicted to be mediated by sensation seeking, but not by behavioral inhibition. Hypotheses were tested separately for boys and girls.HR in supine position was assessed in repondents to the TRacking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS) (N = 1,752; 48.5% boys) at age 11 years. Rule breaking and aggression at age 16 were assessed with two subscales from the Youth Self Report (YSR) questionnaire. Personality (i.e., sensation seeking and behavioral inhibition) was measured at ages 11, 13.5, and 16 with the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire-Revised (EATQ-R), Behavioral Inhibition System/ Behavioral Activation System (BIS/BAS) scales, or NEO Personality-Index Revised (NEO-PI-R).In boys, lower HR was associated with aggression and rule breaking in adolescence. The association between HR and rule breaking was mediated by sensation seeking in adolescence but not in preadolescence. Girls' HR was not associated with ASB, and no mediating effects were found.Our findings support the age-effect hypothesis in boys' rule breaking behavior. This shows that the association between HR and ASB depends on age, gender, and subtype of ASB.

Attentional Control Moderates Relations Between Negative Affect and Neural Correlates of Action Monitoring in Adolescence

This study examined the moderating role of attentional control on relations between negative affect and action monitoring event related potentials (ERPs) (error-related negativity (ERN) and N2) in a group of healthy adolescents (9 to 17 years old). These ERPs were recorded while participants completed a modified flanker task. Participants also completed the negative affect subscale of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule for Children (PANAS–C) and the attentional control subscale of the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire–Revised (EATQ–R). Regression analyses revealed negative affect by attentional control interactions, suggesting that youth high in attentional control and high in negative affect show increased N2 amplitude and a trend toward increased ERN amplitude. These findings are discussed with regard to the interface of attention and emotion processes that are implicated in action monitoring and relevance to the study of self-regulation during adolescence.

Reactive and Regulative Temperament in Youths: Psychometric Evaluation of the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire-Revised

The present study examined the psychometric properties of the self-report version of the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire-Revised (EATQ-R), which is a scale for measuring reactive and regulative temperament traits, in a large sample of children and adolescents (N = 1,055). The results indicated that the internal consistency was acceptable for most EATQ-R temperament scales. Further, principal components analysis of the instrument yielded a structure with nine components, which generally reflected the temperament scales of the EATQ-R. The test–retest stability of the scale was moderate to good, whereas the parent–child agreement was rather low. Finally, the scale correlated in a theoretically meaningful way with children’s self-reports of personality and psychopathology. It can be concluded that the EATQ-R is a useful scale for measuring aspects of reactive and regulative temperament in children and adolescents, although there is certainly room for improving the instrument.