title: The role of language ability and self-regulation in the development of inattentive-hyperactive behavior problems.
abstract: Previous research has found associations but not established mechanisms of developmental linkage between language ability and inattentive-hyperactive (I-H) behavior problems. The present study examined whether self-regulation mediates the effect of language ability on later I-H behavior problems among young children (N = 120) assessed at 30, 36, and 42 months of age. Cross-lagged panel models tested the direction of effect between language ability and self-regulation and longitudinal effects of language ability on later I-H problems mediated by self-regulation. Language ability was measured by children's scores on the receptive and expressive language subtests of the Differential Ability Scales. Self-regulation was measured by three behavioral tasks requiring inhibitory control. I-H problems were reported by parents and secondary caregivers. Language ability predicted later self-regulation as measured by all three tasks. There was no association, however, between self-regulation and later language ability, suggesting that the direction of effect was stronger from language ability to later self-regulation. Moreover, the effect of language ability on later I-H behavior problems was mediated by children's self-regulation in one of the tasks (for secondary caregivers' but not parents' ratings). Findings suggest that language deficits may explain later I-H behavior problems via their prediction of poorer self-regulatory skills.
authors.affiliation: Indiana University.
authors.forename: Isaac T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.affiliation: Indiana University.
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bates
authors.affiliation: University of Virginia.
authors.forename: Angela D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Staples
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006948:Hyperkinesis / Q000503:physiopathology; D007804:Language Development; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D000068356:Self-Control