title: Are effortful and reactive control unique constructs in young children?
abstract: The primary goal of this study was to examine whether effortful control (EC; effortful regulation), reactive undercontrol (IMP; e.g., impulsivity, speed of approach), and reactive overcontrol (NOV; inhibition to novelty) were 3 distinct constructs at 30 months (Time 1; n = 216), 42 months (Time 2; n = 192), and 54 months (Time 3; n = 168) of age. Parents', nonparental caregivers', and/or observers' ratings were obtained for all 3 constructs at all 3 times, as were multiple behavioral indices of each construct. Several alternative factor structures were tested, including 1-, 2-, and 3-factor models. The best fitting and most parsimonious model was one with 3 separate latent constructs at 42 and 54 months and 2 distinct constructs, EC and impulsivity/low inhibition to novelty combined, at 30 months. EC, IMP, and NOV also demonstrated some interindividual consistency across time, especially EC and IMP.
authors: Department of Psychology.
authors: Nancy
authors: N
authors: Eisenberg
authors: Alison
authors: A
authors: Edwards
authors: Tracy L
authors: TL
authors: Spinrad
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Sallquist
authors: Natalie D
authors: ND
authors: Eggum
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Reiser
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors