title: Predicting stability and change in toddler behavior problems: contributions of maternal behavior and child gender.
abstract: This study examined the stability and continuity of early-identified behavior problems and the factors associated with this stability. Children and their mothers (N=125) were seen when the children were 2 and 4 years of age. Maternal reports of child externalizing behavior and laboratory observations of child noncompliance were stable from age 2 to age 4. Early externalizing behaviors decreased over time; however, child noncompliance in the laboratory did not. Although few associations were found between maternal positive behavior and child behavior problems, maternal controlling behavior was related to increases in child behavior problems, particularly at high levels of both prior noncompliance and prior maternal control. Child noncompliance was predictive of increases in maternal controlling behavior over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA. cindy.smith@asu.edu
authors.forename: Cynthia L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Susan D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Calkins
authors.forename: Susan P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Keane
authors.forename: Arthur D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Anastopoulos
authors.forename: Terri L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Shelton
mesh_terms: D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012951:Socialization