Longitudinal stability of temperamental exuberance and social-emotional outcomes in early childhood.
The goals of the current study were to investigate the stability of temperamental exuberance across infancy and toddlerhood and to examine the associations between exuberance and social-emotional outcomes in early childhood. The sample consisted of 291 4-month-olds followed at 9, 24, and 36 months and again at 5 years of age. Behavioral measures of exuberance were collected at 9, 24, and 36 months. At 36 months, frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry was assessed. At 5 years, maternal reports of temperament and behavior problems were collected, as were observational measures of social behavior during an interaction with an unfamiliar peer in the laboratory. Latent profile analysis revealed a high, stable exuberance profile that was associated with greater ratings of 5-year externalizing behavior and surgency, as well as observed disruptive behavior and social competence with unfamiliar peers. These associations were particularly true for children who displayed left frontal EEG asymmetry. Multiple factors supported an approach bias for exuberant temperament but did not differentiate between adaptive and maladaptive social-emotional outcomes at 5 years of age.
Department of Human Development, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA. kdegnan@umd.edu
Kathryn A
KA
Degnan
Amie Ashley
AA
Hane
Heather A
HA
Henderson
Olga Lydia
OL
Moas
Bethany C
BC
Reeb-Sutherland
Nathan A
NA
Fox
D000367:Age Factors; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000523:psychology; D010379:Peer Group; D010553:Personality Development; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012919:Social Behavior; D013694:Temperament