The meaning of mothers' perceptions of their infants' temperamental "difficultness" was explored in three ways. Subjective ratings were elicited from mothers who listened to the cries of four- to six-month-old infants who were not their own. Acoustic properties of the cries of the infants were measured and effects of a variety of…

The hypothesis was tested that some children develop a defensive mindset that subsumes individual social information processing (SIP) steps, grows from early experiences, and guides long-term outcomes. In Study 1 (Fast Track [FT]), 463 age-5 children (45% girls; 43% Black) were first assessed in 1991 and followed through age 32 (83% retention). In…

The interaction between a temperament profile (four groups determined by high vs. low resistance to control [unmanageability] and unadaptability [novelty distress]) and family stress in predicting externalizing problems at school in children followed from kindergarten through eighth grade (ages 5-13) was investigated. The sample consisted of 556…

Objectives: This study examined mothers' and fathers' reporting congruency using the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scales. We asked if the mother's report of the father's parenting aggression was consistent with the father's self-report of parenting aggression and if the father's report of the mother's parenting aggression was consistent with the…

This article provides a review and synthesis of concepts, research programs, and measures in the infant and child temperament area. First, the authors present an overview of five classical approaches to the study of child temperament that continue to stimulate research today. Subsequently, the authors carve out key definitional criteria for…

Responds to Thomas, Chess, and Korn (Merrill-Palmer Quarterly; v28 n1 p1-20 Jan 1982) by arguing that empirical and theoretical considerations call into question the assumption that parent reports of their own child's difficult temperament are essentially measures of characteristics residing within the child. (BJD)

Longitudinal studies have found associations between parenting and the development of conduct problems, and have found that resistant to control temperament moderates these associations. Intervention studies have found associations between intervention-induced changes in parenting and subsequent reductions in children's conduct problems. However,…

This study examined the hypothesis that the association between hostile attributions and aggressive behavior with peers is moderated by children's temperament among three samples of preschoolers. Hostile attributions were assessed through videotape-based and story-based laboratory procedures. Maternal ratings and laboratory-based assessment…

Evaluates objective/subjective factor model of parent reports of child characteristcs. A total of 27 mother-report scales were collected when children were 6, l3, 24, and 36 months old; scales measured various contructs of temperament, mother-child relationship, child competence, and problem behavior. Factor analysis of scales indicated that…

Argues that the concept of difficult temperament does not yet have enough empirical basis to justify its use for practical purposes. Suggests that the concept possesses enough construct validity to justify further research, particularly when temperamental differences are seen as a parent's perception rather than solely as a child's characteristic.…

The Infant Characteristics Questionnaire (ICQ) was developed as a short, factor-analytic screening device for difficultness. Responses of 322 mothers of four- to six-month-old infants suggested that they regard fussy, hard-to-soothe, labile infants as difficult. Mother characteristics may affect perceptions of infant difficultness with…

Investigated continuities in mother-infant interaction observed at home, maternally perceived infant difficulties, and infant developmental competency. Also assessed were background characteristics and possible variables moderating maternal report of satisfaction with adjustment. A total of 128 dyads were assessed when infants were 6 and 13 months…

Early temperament was assessed at ages six, 13, and 24 months via mother ratings on age-appropriate versions of the Infant Characteristics Questionnaire (ICQ). Home observations of mother-toddler interactions at age 24 months were made, and behavior sequence variables were analyzed. The 24-month form of the ICQ was developed in this study.…

Attempted to replicate findings of a previous study which found that mother-toddler interaction during problem solving was related to the child's prior attachment security. Examined the relationship between problem-solving interactions on the one hand, and mother-child interactions at home and infant temperament on the other. (PCB)

Studied child temperament and parental control as interacting predictors of behavior outcomes in 7- to 10-year olds in two longitudinal samples, the Bloomington Longitudinal Study and the Child Development Project. Found that resistance to control was more strongly related to externalizing in low-parent restriction groups than in high-parent…