Easy Temperament Research Articles

Aggression among Preschool Children within the Framework of Temperament, Attachment and Parental Attitudes

Aggression is a common problem in preschool children. The relationship between aggressive behaviors in early ages and psychopathologies in later years has been shown in previous studies. Therefore, it is imperative to understand both the causes of childhood aggression and identify the sustaining factors. This review discusses aggression in the context of temperament, parental attitudes, and attachment factors. The concept of temperament was explained with the terminology of difficult and easy temperament, emotionality, activity, sociability, and impulsivity factors, especially from the perspectives of Thomas and Chess, Goldsmith and Plomin, and Cloninger, and associated with aggression in the preschool period. In addition, possible causes of aggression in children were assessed with attachment theory. Finally, the relationship between parents, their attitudes towards aggression, socioeconomic determinants in the family, and the possible relationship between aggression in children were discussed. This study examines the determinants of preschool children's aggression to solve aggression problems, focusing on family and temperamental characteristics. A more holistic assessment of aggression with child and parent characteristics is intended.

Child Temperament and Child-care Support are Related to Better Mother-child Relationship Quality

The current study identifies associates of mother-first-born-child relationship quality of an important period that is when expecting a second child. Based on Belsky’s determinants of parenting model (Belsky, 1984), we suggested three domains to relate to mother-child relationship quality, maternal personal resources (well-being, effortful control), child characteristics (temperament, behaviour problems) and contextual factors (household chaos, child-care support, marital satisfaction). Forty-five mothers (Mage= 34.78 years; SDage = 3.86 years) and their typically developing first-born children (Mchild age=32.26 months; SDage = 6.27) were visited at home in the south of England, Sussex, UK, where mothers completed questionnaires and mother-child interactions were videotaped. Results demonstrated that easier child temperament, better maternal well-being, less household chaos and more child-care support were related to more positive mother-child relationship quality. Together the variables explained 23% of the variance in relationship quality. The child’s easy temperament, chaos and child-care support provided unique variance in explaining the mother-child relationship. These results contribute to the literature on expecting a second child and yield several implications. The findings also provide guidance for future intervention programs. In order to improve the mother-child relationship quality, child executive functioning may be a fruitful target for intervention, as well as increased support for child-care and decreased household chaos.

Infant temperament with anxiety postpartum mothers in primary health care Sleman, Indonesia

Introduction: Changes in psychological conditions after childbirth often occur, one of which is anxiety. During the postpartum period, anxiety is a common disorder that occurs in as many as 30% of women, with at least one episode of anxiety in their lifetime. Anxiety in postpartum mothers is caused by the infant, who has an easy or difficult temperament. Therefore, this study aims to determine the relationship between infant temperament and anxiety in postpartum mothers in ​​the Sleman Yogyakarta Public Health Center. Methods: This type of research is a non-experimental quantitative with a cross-sectional approach involving 80 samples of postpartum mothers aged up to the first six weeks in the Sleman Yogyakarta Public Health Center. Sampling with a purposive sampling technique. The instruments used were the Infant Characteristics Questionnaire (ICQ) and the Hamilton Anxiety Rate Scale (HARS). The statistical test used in this research is Chi-Square. Results: Most infant temperaments were easy (68.8%) and mild postpartum anxiety (50%). Statistical test results show a p-value of 0.001. Conclusion: An infant's temperament influences anxiety in postpartum mothers. Nurses must improve the quality of maternity nursing care services through education and early detection to prevent postpartum anxiety.

Firstborn children’s sex specific emotions and behaviors during mothers’ second pregnancy after implementation of the universal two-child policy in China

The present cross-sectional study aimed to identify sex-specific characteristics and other factors for firstborn children’s emotions and behaviors during their mothers’ second pregnancy after the implementation of the two-child policy in China. Firstborn children aged 1.5–5 years old and their pregnant mothers were enrolled from two hospitals from March to September 2019 in our city. Mothers completed a self-designed questionnaire and Child Behavior Checklist during their routine prenatal examinations. Linear regression was used to explore potential factors influencing firstborn children’s behaviors and emotions towards their mother’s second pregnancy. A total of 880 firstborn children were included. There was no significant difference in internalizing/externalizing problem scores and prevalence between male and female firstborn children during their mothers’ second pregnancy. Children’s easy temperament, good parental relationship, and father’s authoritative and indulgent parenting styles were potential positive factors for both male and female firstborn children. Harmonious family environment, children’s age, father's accompaniment, and being informed by parents of the arrival of a sibling were only related to firstborn girls experiencing fewer emotional and behavioral problems. Mother’s education and seeking for firstborn children’s opinion about the new sibling were only related to firstborn boys experiencing fewer emotional and behavioral problems. There was no sex differences in internalizing/externalizing problems in firstborn children during their mother’s second pregnancy. Children’s temperament, family environment and fathers’ parenting styles were consistent influencing factors for both firstborn girls’ and boys’ emotions and behaviors.

Early Childhood Temperamental Trajectories following Very Preterm Birth and Their Association with Parenting Style.

Childhood temperament is an early characteristic shaping later life adjustment. However, little is currently known about the stability of early temperament and its susceptibility to the environment in children born very preterm (VPT; <33 weeks’ gestation). Here, we investigated infant-to-childhood temperamental trajectories, and their interaction with parental practices, in VPT children. Maternal reports of infant temperament were collected in 190 infants (mean age: 11.27 months; range 9–18 months) enrolled in the longitudinal Evaluation of Preterm Imaging (ePrime; Eudra: CT 2009-011602-42) study, using the ePrime questionnaire on infant temperament. At 4–7 years of age, further assessments of child temperament (Children’s Behavior Questionnaire—Very Short Form) and parenting style (Arnold’s Parenting Scale) were conducted. Results showed that more difficult temperament in infancy was associated with increased Negative Affectivity in childhood, regardless of parenting practices. This lends support to the stability of early temperamental traits reflecting negative emotionality. In contrast, a lax parenting style moderated the relationship between easy infant temperament and Negative Affectivity at 4–7 years, such that an easier infant temperament was increasingly associated with higher childhood Negative Affectivity scores as parental laxness increased. These results highlight a potential vulnerability of VPT infants considered by their mothers to be easy to handle, as they may be more susceptible to the effects of suboptimal parenting in childhood.

‘‘Kai Chaand Thay Sar e Aasman’’ :The Narration Of The Dilapidation Of Civilization

Shams ur Rahman Farooqi is an Indian poet and one of the leading Urdu critics and theorists. He is regarded as the T.S. Eliot of Urdu criticism and has formulated fresh models of literary appreciation. Farooqi’s novel is a true character sketch of Urdu-Persian poetry and Indo-Islamic culture. Although the novel has extraordinary qualities and is its own example, but the history and civilization of the age which it is talking about, is now ours. Is of no particular importance. Also, the language used in this novel is no longer commonplace, so it will be largely difficult and incomprehensible. One can clearly see the effects of this cultural breakdown mentioned earlier. And what has been said about language is that of the easy going temperament of our time. In addition to gender differences, it also interferes with the fact that the character that the author has established in the middle of the novel, contrary to the myths, is not the character of a famous and great classical poet. Rather, he is a person of our cultural history who is known to the world as Wazir Khanum alias Chhoti Begum. She has the honor of being the mother of Wazir Khanum Nawab Mirza Dag Dehlavi. As far as the fame and popularity of Dagh Dehlavi is concerned, if you look at it, Wazir Khanum will be called an anonymous woman. This is also a fact because our literary history about Wazir Khanum has been generally silent. Now, in this novel, the way in which the main character is presented and the details of facts and events that have been narrated, even if they are not fully historically confirmed, but they tell a lot about the life and personality of Wazir Khanum. Something can be guessed. At the same time in the light of the personality of Wazir Khanum of this eraIf a list of the best Urdu novels is compiled, Shams-ur-Rehman Farooqi's "Kai Chand The Sar Aasman" will surely be counted among the first ten novels

Free Papers Compiled

INTRODUCTIONSchizophrenia is a psychiatric illness with lifetime prevalence of 1.4%. the prevalence of psychosis in deaf and mute is almost equivalent to the general population. Almost 50% deaf and mute patients diagnosed with psychosis report “hearing of voices which others cannot hear” in the absence of any external stimulus. Similar percentage of patients report visual and tactile hallucinations. The assessment of psychosis in such patients become difficult due to lack of tools and training of medical professionals in communication with such patients. There exists some literature which shows association in the neurobiology of auditory hallucinations and hearing impairment.The following case report illustrates a case of psychosis in a deaf and mute patientCASE REPORTA 17 years old unmarried female, not formally educated, unemployed, deaf and mute since birth with easy premorbid temperament no history of any comorbid illness and no family history of any psychiatric or neurological illness presented with insidious onset continuous course of total duration since last 1 year characterized by verbal and physical aggression, suspiciousness, muttering to self, hearing of voices that others cannot hear, odd behaviour, poor self care, decreased sleep. Patient was admitted due to unmanageability at home. On mental status examination, patient was agitated, violent towards herself and her family members. She was started on antipsychotic and had a good response on treatment.CONCLUSIONThis case illustrates the presense of psychotic symptoms including auditory hallucinations in a congenital deaf and mute patient.

Pain as a mediator in the temperament-alexithymia relationship in individuals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

The study aims to establish a relationship between temperament traits, symptoms of alexithymia, and pain intensity in rheumatoid arthritis. Despite the significant progress seen in the area of RA treatment, pain, often life-long, remains the predominant symptom. This constant pain and progressing disability, as well as dependence upon other people cause RA patients to experience psychological stress that can be modified by individual patient traits. Recently, several authors have underlined the need to relate personality and temperament constructs to neurobiological processes that may underlie individual differences. It seems then that patient characteristics may play a significant role in the course of the disease. The study was performed on a group of patients (N=317) with rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed according to the current criteria of the American-European Consensus of 2010. All patients expressed voluntary consent to participate, and the study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee. This was a survey-based study. It involved the application of the adult version of the Buss and Plomin EAS Temperament Questionnaire (EAS-D), which tests 3 main temperament domains: sociability, activity, and emotionality. The pain was measured on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). VAS is used to measure pain intensity. The level of alexithymia was tested using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20. The scale consists of 20 statements and includes 3 subscales that measure difficulty in describing feelings/emotions, difficulty in identifying feelings/emotions, and operational externally oriented thinking. The analysis revealed that alexithymia is positively correlated only with one dimension of temperament, i.e., emotionality, and with pain intensity. Moreover, high emotionality was positively correlated with pain. A simple mediation analysis revealed that pain intensity functioned as a mediator in the emotionality-alexithymia relationship. The observed correlations indicate that RA patients with a high level of emotionality exhibit high alexithymia as they perceive pain related to the disease symptoms more intensely. The observed mediation is partial, meaning that there are also other mediating factors in this relationship.

The structure of child temperament as measured by the Polish versions of the Children's Behavior Questionnaire and the Temperament in Middle Childhood Questionnaire: insight from the network psychometrics approach.

The model proposed by Rothbart is one of the most frequently used models to describe children's temperament. However, the structure of temperamental traits in children is not unambiguous. We examine this structure in children from 3 to 10 years of age using two different measures in a less often studied cultural context (i.e., central Europe), and using a recently developed and still less common approach to study the internal structure of scales (i.e., network psychometrics). This paper examines the structure of temperamental dimensions in children using two different measures - the Children's Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ) and the Temperament in Middle Childhood Questionnaire (TMCQ) - in two studies conducted on children aged 4-7 years (N = 178; CBQ) and aged 7-10 years (N = 189; TMCQ). We verified the structural validity of these measures with a bootstrapped exploratory graph analysis, which represents the network psychometric approach. Network psychometric analysis supported differentiation of three factors of temperamental traits in both groups of children. In addition, the construct validity of these instruments was supported through correlations of the temperament factors measured by the CBQ and the TMCQ with Emotionality, Activity, Sociability, and Shyness scales measured with the EAS Temperament Survey; and through confirmation of expected gender differences in the CBQ and TMCQ factors. Our findings support a three-factor solution of temperamental traits in children representing Negative Affectivity, Effortful Control, and Surgency.

Examining the relationship between early childhood temperament, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder

A greater understanding of why some people are more at risk of developing PTSD is required. We examine the relationship between temperament traits in early childhood and subsequent trauma exposure and risk of PTSD. We used data on 2017 participants from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Temperament was measured using the Carey Infant Temperament Scale (average score from ages 6 and 24 months). This provided data on 9 individuals traits, and Easy, Medium, and Difficult temperament clusters. Trauma exposure was measured from 0 to 17 years, and PTSD at age 23 years using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-V (PCL-5). Regression models were used to estimate associations between temperament and both trauma and PTSD, and to examine mediation (of temperament to PTSD pathway) and interaction (temperament X trauma on PTSD) effects. 1178 (58.4%) individuals were exposed to a trauma in childhood and 112 (5.5%) had PTSD. Higher levels of Intensity were associated with a small increase in trauma exposure (ORadjusted 1.23, 95% CI 1.12, 1.34; p < 0.001) and PTSD (ORadjusted 1.27, 95% CI 1.05, 1.54; p = 0.012). Higher levels of Activity, Adaptability, Mood and Threshold temperament traits were also associated with trauma exposure. Medium (ORadjusted 1.49, 95% CI 1.21, 1.84; p < 0.001) and Difficult (ORadjusted 1.47, 95% CI 1.18, 1.84; p = 0.001) temperament clusters were associated with increased trauma exposure compared to an Easy cluster, but were not associated with PTSD. The relationship between trait Intensity and adult PTSD was partially mediated by childhood/adolescent trauma (Indirect ORadjusted 1.08, 95% CI 1.01, 1.16, p = 0.024, proportion mediated 26.2%). There was some evidence that trait Intensity modified the relationship between trauma and PTSD (ORadjusted 1.66, 95% CI 1.07, 2.55, p = 0.023). PTSD in early adulthood is more common in those with intense stimuli responsiveness in childhood. Temperament traits might be useful predictors of trauma exposure and mental health outcomes and offer potential targets for supportive interventions.

The Risk of Bullying and Probability of Help-Seeking Behaviors in School Children: A Bayesian Network Analysis.

An increase in aggressive behaviors in adolescents has been observed for a few years. The participation in bullying is associated with many psychosocial difficulties in adolescent development. On the other hand, the help-seeking behavior can be one of the most important protective factors that reduce the risk for this type of violence. The study was aimed at estimating the risk factors, as well as the protective factors of school bullying, by using the Bayesian networks to build a model allowing to estimate the probability of occurrence of the aggressive and help-seeking behaviors among school children. The focus was on individual risk/protective factors related to EAS temperament (emotionality, activity, and sociability) and variables related to the family context (level of cohesion, flexibility, family communication, and family life satisfaction). Bayesian methods have not been particularly mainstream in the social and medical sciences. The sample comprised 75 students (32 boys and 43 girls), aged 13–15 (M = 13.82; SD = 0.47). Assessment comprised The EAS Temperament Questionnaire, Family Adaptability & Cohesion Evaluation Scales FACES IV-SOR (Family Rating Scale), and Survey questionnaire. The Bayesian networks were applied. Depending on the values of the identified variables, very high a posteriori probability of bullying and help-seeking behaviors can be predicted. Four EAS subscales (Distress, Fear, Activity, Sociability) and two SOR subscales (Balanced Flexibility and Balanced Cohesion) were identified as predictors of bullying. Moreover, two SOR subscales (Family Communication and Life Family Satisfaction) and one EAS subscale (Sociability) were identified as predictors of help-seeking behaviors. The constructed network made it possible to show the influence of variables related to temperament and variables related to the family environment on the probability of bullying or the probability of seeking help and support. The Bayesian network model used in this study may be used in clinical practice.

Self-Esteem, Self-Monitoring, and Temperamental Traits in Action: Who Is Involved in Humanitarian, Political, and Religious Non-profit Organizations?

Self-esteem, self-monitoring, and temperamental traits are important factors that influence human behavior. The purpose of the present study was to compare groups involved in humanitarian (n = 61), political (n = 68), and religious (n = 54) activities in terms of intergroup differences in self-esteem, self-monitoring, and temperamental traits. There are two research questions that we sought to address: “What are the relationships between self-esteem, self-monitoring, and temperamental traits among those involved in social, religious, and humanitarian aid activities?” and “Do temperamental traits affect self-esteem and self-monitoring among volunteers?” The study was conducted in Poland among adults aged 18 years and older, during meetings of six selected non-profit organizations, consisting of two organizations each in the humanitarian, political, and religious areas. The study used the Polish versions of the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale, Snyders’ Self-Monitoring Scale, and the EAS Temperament Questionnaire. Volunteers of humanitarian organizations had the lowest self-esteem among all the examined groups. Politicians turned out to be more pragmatic than those involved in religious activities and humanitarian aid. Between the three examined groups, there were statistically significant differences in temperamental activity; the most active are those politically involved, followed by participants involved in humanitarian aid and religious activities. Moreover, volunteers involved in humanitarian aid reported a higher level of temperamental fear than those involved in political and religious activities. Furthermore, there were group differences in their reasons for social involvement. We discuss the potential sources of differences and consequences of outcomes for human resource practice in non-profit organizations.

Is the Association between Postpartum Depression and Early Maternal-Infant Relationships Contextually Determined by Avoidant Coping in the Mother?

This study analyzes the moderating role of avoidant coping (in early pregnancy) in the relationship between postpartum depressive (PPD) symptoms and maternal perceptions about mother–baby relations and self-confidence. Participants were 116 low-risk obstetric mothers (mean age = 31.2 years, SD = 3.95, range 23–42) who received care and gave birth at a Spanish public hospital. Measurements were made at two points in time: at first trimester of pregnancy (maternal avoidance coping) and four months after childbirth (PPD and maternal perceptions). Avoidant coping was associated with the perception of the baby as irritable and unstable (p = 0.003), including irritability during lactation (p = 0.041). Interaction effects of avoidant coping and postpartum depression were observed on the perception of the baby as irritable (p = 0.031) and with easy temperament (p = 0.002). Regarding the mother’s self-confidence, avoidant coping was related to a lack of security in caring for the baby (p < 0.001) and had a moderating effect between PPD and mother’s self-confidence (i.e., lack of security in caring for the baby, p =0.027; general security, p = 0.007). Interaction effects showed that the use of avoidant coping in the mother exacerbated the impact of PPD on the early mother–infant relationship.

Predictors of Lidcombe Program treatment dropout and outcome for early stuttering.

Information is available about what predicts Lidcombe Program treatment time, but nothing is known about what predicts treatment prognosis. To investigate the predictors of treatment dropout and treatment outcome for children who were treated for early stuttering with the Lidcombe Program (N = 277). A total of 32 variables were used as predictors in regression analyses of short- and medium-term Lidcombe Program outcome, and of treatment dropout. Regression analyses associated children who have better language skills and easy temperament with better treatment outcome, although only a small portion of the variance of treatment outcome was accounted for by these variables. There was an association between treatment dropout and parental scores on a personality screening tool relating to their impulsivity. Variables identified as predictors of Lidcombe Program treatment outcome were statistically significant, but not clinically significant. They did not account for a clinically substantive portion of treatment outcomes. Findings about parental impulsivity and their relationship with intervention drop-out require replication with prospective methods and comprehensive assessment of parent psychological status. This is particularly important because parents are involved in conducting all early interventions. What this paper adds What is already known on the subject Information is available about what predicts Lidcombe Program treatment time, but nothing is known about what predicts Lidcombe Program treatment outcome. What this paper adds to existing knowledge There are predictors of Lidcombe Program treatment outcome that are statistically significant, but none are clinically significant. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Clinicians can tell parents that nothing has been found that can assist with making prognostic indications about treatment outcome for their children.

Determinants of child resilience in poverty: findings from the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study

Abstract Background Poverty has adverse effects on child health. While children in poverty face greater health challenges, some still achieve positive health outcomes. This is in part due to their resilience when facing adversity. Identifying the factors that foster child resilience can aid in developing strategies to promote child resilience and reduce the harmful effects of child poverty. This study aims to identify the biological and social factors of resilience among children in poverty from birth to age 12. Methods Data for the analysis came from the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study, a nationally representative sample of 17,354 children who completed six waves of interview surveys between 2005 and 2017. Our sample included 4,570 children who experienced poverty from birth to age 12. The primary outcome variable was child resilience, defined as impoverished children who maintained good health outcomes over the 12-year survey period. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the factors of child resilience. Results Of the 4,570 children, 36.1% always had good health despite experiencing poverty before the age of 12. An easy temperament (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.9-3.0), female (OR = 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0-1.3), a birth weight greater than 2,500 grams (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2-2.1), having a foreign-born mother (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.2-1.7), receiving breast milk after birth (OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1-1.5), and good parent-child interaction at 3 years of age (OR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.2-1.7) were associated with child resilience. Early parent-child interactions can moderate the effect of children's birth weight on later resilience. Conclusions Our findings indicated the factors associated with child resilience in the context of poverty, suggesting that supporting breastfeeding and nurturing parent-child relationships are effective public health actions to foster child resilience. Future research is needed to unravel the underlying mechanisms of biological factors associated with child resilience. Key messages Breastfeeding after birth and high-quality parent-child interaction can lead to positive adaptations to child poverty. Children with difficult temperaments, boys and those born at low birthweight are more vulnerable to poverty and should be targeted for building resilience against poverty.

The contribution of temperament and parental behaviour to the developmental outcomes of preschool children

The aim of this study was to examine whether the dimensions of parental behavioural style contribute to the explanation of the developmental characteristics of preschool children beyond children’s temperamental characteristics. A total of 194 parents of one preschool child, of which 95.36% were mother, participated in the study. The EASI temperament survey, the Multidimensional Assessment of Parenting Scale and the Preschool Child Development Assessment Questionnaire were used. The results suggested a significant correlation between the dimensions of temperament according to the EASI model (emotionality, activity, sociability and impulsivity), the functional developmental characteristics of the child and some dimensions of parenting. No significant differences were found in the assessments of temperamental characteristics and developmental outcomes between boys and girls. The results of regression analyses showed that temperamental dimensions assessments explained significant portion of preschool children developmental outcomes variance (between 56% and 74%). Furthermore, with temperamental characteristics being controlled for, the dimensions of parental behaviour did not significantly increase portion of explained criteria variance. In addition to the limitations of the study, the results were discussed in the context of existing knowledge on the developmental outcomes of preschool children with special emphasis on the importance of recognizing and understanding temperament as an important determinant of development in early ages.

Audiological and psychological profiles of children with tinnitus

Purpose: The objective of the study was to gauge the audiological and psychological profiles of children with tinnitus.Method: We recruited 25 paediatric patients (aged less than 18 years) reporting tinnitus who voluntarily came to our clinic in 2017. The children and their parents underwent a structured interview as part of a consultation in the Tinnitus Department. Otolaryngological examination and tonal and impedance audiometry were performed. Children filled in a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) on loudness, annoyance, and how well they were coping with their tinnitus. Additionally, we used the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Revised Children Anxiety and Depression Scale (Parent Version) to look for possible depressive and anxiety disorders, and the EAS Temperament Survey to assess the temperament of the children.Results: The group consisted of 25 children (16 girls and 9 boys) aged from 6 to 16 years. Most of the children had normal hearing. Tinnitus had a significant daily impact on sleeping, studying, and leisure. The VAS scale results revealed that younger children, 6 to 10 years old, found tinnitus more troublesome than older children (11 to 16 years). No child with tinnitus showed any severe symptoms of depression or anxiety. All showed average levels of temperamental traits, close to normative values.Conclusion: When diagnosing tinnitus in children it is important to recognize that tinnitus affects children differently to adults. Whether children with tinnitus require specific intervention remains a difficult question to answer. Hence, there is an urgent need to devise a questionnaire that can assess the impact of tinnitus on children’s quality of life.

The role of antenatal and postnatal maternal bonding in infant development: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to systematically review the empirical literature on maternal bonding and associations with infant physical, psychological, and social development. Nineteen articles met inclusion criteria and were included in a qualitative synthesis (79 effect sizes); 15 articles were suitable for aggregation in a series of 14 meta‐analyses (51 effect sizes). All mean effects were in the expected direction, with higher maternal bonding contributing to infant developmental outcomes, including higher attachment quality (r = .35) and parent‐reported lower colic rating (r = .22), easier temperament (r = .19), and positive infant mood (r = .27). Consistent with theoretical explanatory models, the review provides support for the hypothesis that maternal bonding plays a role in fostering more optimal infant development. The review also identifies a paucity of empirical work on this topic and provides directions for future research.

Farmer-preferred traits in smallholder dairy farming systems in Tanzania

Decisions of breeding schemes in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa tend to be either government or project driven, with a focus on upgrading local breeds. However, there is scant information on the individual animal traits that smallholder farmers prefer. The aim of this study was to examine farmers’ preferences of dairy cattle traits using a discrete choice experiment methodology. The study was conducted through visits to 555 randomly selected dairy farms in the sub-humid Eastern coast and temperate Southern highlands of Tanzania. Choices of animal traits were presented to farmers who were asked to evaluate choice alternatives based on attribute levels and finally select the alternative with the highest utility. The choice experiment data were analysed using a conditional logit model. Coefficients for milk yield, fertility, feed requirement, temperament and diseases resistance were overall statistically significant (p < 0.05). In order of perceived importance, farmers were willing to keep a cow with high milk yield (coefficient = 1.43 ± 0.059), good fertility (0.85 ± 0.050), easy temperament (0.76 ± 0.066), low feed requirement (− 0.56 ± 0.092) and enhanced tropical disease resistance (0.48 ± 0.048). The purchase price coefficient was negative (− 0.001 ± 0.0003), indicating that farmers would prefer improved dairy cattle at affordable prices. Farmers’ preferred traits were influenced by agro-ecological zone and type of production system (extensive vs intensive). The study provides an opportunity for breeding programme designers to take farmers’ preferred dairy traits into serious consideration.

Early life factors are associated with trajectories of consistent organized sport participation over childhood and adolescence: Longitudinal analysis from the Raine Study

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to identify early life factors that were associated with childhood and adolescent organized sport participation trajectories. DesignParticipants were in the Raine Study, a pregnancy cohort in Western Australia recruited from 1989 to 1991. MethodsThree organized sport trajectories over ages 5–17years were previously identified for girls (n=824: consistent participators, dropouts, and non-participators in sport) and boys (n=855: consistent participators, dropouts, joiners — those who joined sport in adolescence). Physical, psychological and social factors were measured from birth to age 5. ResultsFor girls and boys, children who were breastfed, were taller, did not have behavior problems, and attended childcare were more likely to consistently participate. Girls who had a previous injury (Relative risk ratio 1.55: 95% confidence interval 1.05, 2.29 vs never been injured) or who had parents who had worries about their child’s health (1.56: 1.00, 2.42 vs no worries) were more likely to be in the dropout trajectory. Boys born preterm (2.00, 2.06, 3.76 vs full-term), did not have a previous injury (0.72, 0.53, 0.97 those with injury vs never been injured), had more difficult temperament (1.63, 1.02, 2.60 vs easy temperament), and higher family dysfunction (1.49, 1.06, 2.08) were more likely to be in the dropout trajectory. ConclusionsEarly life factors were associated with membership in sport trajectories. Physical, psychological, and social factors may serve as early warning signs for parents and practitioners that children may be at higher risk of dropping out of sports.