Early reactions to frustration: developmental trends in anger, individual response styles, and caregiving risk implications in infancy.
OBJECTIVE
In an effort to examine early negative emotional response patterns, infant responses to frustration were studied with specific regard to anger.


METHODS
Forty infants, 7-9 months (n = 20) and 12-14 months (n = 20) old, were observed in laboratory play situations. Infant affective response as well as maternal behavior were observed. Maternal interviews assessed maternal impressions of infant behavior and affect.


RESULTS
Findings revealed increased displays of anger in older infants, evidence of cognitive-affective linkages in response, and individual differences in emotional response style and maternal-infant processes.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings relate to the emergence and interplay of negative emotional response, maternal-infant patterns, and socioemotional risk.
Kearney
Joan A
JA
Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services, The Hospital of St Raphael, New Haven, CT, USA. JK3500@aol.com
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000786:Anger; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005639:Frustration; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D012307:Risk Factors