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Mother-child interaction, private speech, and task performance in preschool children with behavior problems
A Winsler1, R M Diaz, E M McCarthy
1Department of Psychology-3F5, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444, USA. awinsler@gmu.edu
Summary
Preschoolers with behavior problems exhibit different mother-child interactions and use more private speech. This private speech is linked to better task performance, highlighting unique developmental pathways.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Preschoolers with behavior problems often show differences in self-regulation and social interactions.
- Understanding mother-child interaction dynamics is crucial for identifying developmental pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate mother-child interaction patterns, private speech use, and self-regulation in preschoolers with behavior problems.
- To compare these factors between at-risk and typically developing preschool groups.
Main Methods:
- Forty preschoolers were categorized as behaviorally at-risk or comparison based on teacher ratings.
- Children completed a puzzle task collaboratively with their mother and individually.
- Maternal and child speech and behavior were video-coded.
Main Results:
- Behaviorally at-risk children's interactions showed more other-regulation and negative control from mothers.
- At-risk children used more overt, task-relevant private speech during individual tasks.
- Internalized private speech in at-risk preschoolers correlated positively with task performance.
Conclusions:
- Mother-child interactions differ significantly for at-risk preschoolers, characterized by less supportive maternal behaviors.
- Behaviorally at-risk children's increased private speech use may be a compensatory mechanism for problem-solving.
- The relationship between maternal behavior, child speech, and performance is distinct in at-risk populations.