The longitudinal development of emotion regulation capacities in children at risk for externalizing disorders

Abstract

The development of emotional regulation capacities in children at high versus low risk for externalizing disorder was examined in a longitudinal study investigating: (a) whether disturbances in emotion regulation precede and predict the emergence of externalizing symptoms and (b) whether sensitive maternal behavior is a significant influence on the development of child emotion regulation. Families experiencing high (n = 58) and low (n = 63) levels of psychosocial adversity were recruited to the study during pregnancy. Direct observational assessments of child emotion regulation capacities and maternal sensitivity were completed in early infancy, at 12 and 18 months, and at 5 years. Key findings were as follows. First, high-risk children showed poorer emotion regulation capacities than their low-risk counterparts at every stage of assessment. Second, from 12 months onward, emotion regulation capacities showed a degree of stability and were associated with behavioral problems, both concurrently and prospectively. Third, maternal sensitivity was related to child emotion regulation capacities throughout development, with poorer emotion regulation in the high-risk group being associated with lower maternal sensitivity. The results are consistent with a causal role for problems in the regulation of negative emotions in the etiology of externalizing psychopathology and highlight insensitive parenting as a potentially key developmental influence.

A Longitudinal Investigation of Maternal Influences on the Development of Child Hostile Attributions and Aggression

“…We analyzed scores for items specifically addressing externalizing-type difficulties (temper tantrums and hard-to-manage behaviors). The scale has previously been shown to have external validity (as evidenced by associations with other indices of child behavior problems and discrimination of high versus low risk groups) (Ghodsian, Zajicek, & Wolkind, 1985;Murray, 1992;Halligan et al, 2013) and acceptable reliability (Ghodsian et al, 1984;Richman & Graham, 1971). Internal consistency for the externalizing scale used in the current study was acceptable (α = .78).…”

“…To this end, we conducted detailed assessments in a sample of 98 fiveyear old children and their mothers, recruited as part of a longitudinal study of the impact of psychosocial adversity on child development (Cronin, Halligan, & Murray, 2008;Halligan et al, 2013;Sheridan et al, 2013;Gunning, Halligan, & Murray, 2013). Almost half the families in the study were characterised by high levels of adversity (including socioeconomic deprivation, lacking 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 F o r P e e r R e v i e w O n l y 7 education/employment, low social support, feelings of anxiety and depression), ensuring a reasonable distribution of child externalising difficulties.…”

Later Emotional and Behavioral Problems Associated With Sleep Problems in Toddlers

“…Short sleep duration and sleep problems may also directly impede emotional regulation and increase irritability and negative affect, which are key characteristics of emotional and behavioral problems. 27,28 Sleep is independently related to emotional and behavioral problems and is not accounted for by shared risk factors among preschool children. 29 This association is further supported in school-aged children when extending sleep duration was associated with improved emotional regulation.…”

Prenatal Depressive Symptoms and Toddler Behavior Problems: The Role of Maternal Sensitivity and Child Sex

“…Sensitive parenting, which involves responding appropriately to infant cues and distress, is important for promoting young children's abilities to regulate their emotions [20] and form secure attachment relationships [21]. Early maternal insensitivity (e.g.…”

“…Early maternal insensitivity (e.g. intrusiveness, negativity, or disengagement), on the other hand, has been linked to poor emotional regulation and the development of both internalizing [22] and externalizing [20] problems in early childhood.…”