title: Sustained attention in infancy as a longitudinal predictor of self-regulatory functions.
abstract: Previous literature suggests that attention processes such as sustained attention would constitute a developmental foundation for the self-regulatory functions executive functioning and effortful control (e.g., Garon, Bryson, & Smith, 2008; Rothbart, Derryberry, & Posner, 1994). Our main aim was to test this hypothesis by studying whether sustained attention at age 1 year can predict individual differences in self-regulatory functions at age 2 years. Longitudinal data from 66 infants and their parents were included in the study. Sustained attention was assessed during free play at age 1 year; executive functioning, measured using an eye-tracking version of the A-not-B task, and effortful control, measured using parental ratings, were assessed at both age 1 and age 2 years. The results did support a longitudinal prediction of individual differences in 2-year-olds' self-regulatory functions as a function of sustained attention at age 1 year. We also found significant improvement in both executive functioning and effortful control over time, and the two self-regulatory constructs were related in toddlerhood but not in infancy. The study helps increase our understanding of the early development of self-regulatory functions necessary for identifying developmental risks and, in the future, for developing new interventions.
authors.affiliation: Uppsala Child and Baby Lab, Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Sweden. Electronic address: maria.johansson@psyk.uu.se.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.affiliation: Uppsala Child and Baby Lab, Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Carin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marciszko
authors.affiliation: Uppsala Child and Baby Lab, Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Gustaf
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gredebäck
authors.affiliation: Uppsala Child and Baby Lab, Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Pär
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nyström
authors.affiliation: Uppsala Child and Baby Lab, Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Sweden.
authors.forename: Gunilla
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bohlin
mesh_terms: D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D002657:Child Development; D056344:Executive Function; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D000068356:Self-Control
keywords: Attention; Effortful control; Executive functioning; Infancy; Self-regulation