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Published on: February 11, 2017
The development of concern for others in children with behavior problems
Paul D Hastings1, Carolyn Zahn-Waxler, JoAnn Robinson
1National Insts of Health.
Developmental Psychology
|September 8, 2000
Summary
Children with clinical behavior problems show reduced concern for others as they age. Early concern for others may predict fewer externalizing problems later in childhood.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Psychiatry
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Understanding the development of empathy and externalizing behaviors in children is crucial for early intervention.
- Behavioral problems in children can range from normative to clinical levels, impacting social-emotional development.
- Research suggests a link between prosocial behaviors and the reduction of conduct issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the developmental trajectories of concern for others and externalizing problems in young children.
- To compare these developmental patterns across normative, subclinical, and clinical groups of behavior problems.
- To investigate the predictive relationship between early concern for others and later externalizing behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study tracking children's behavior and concern for others across different age groups (4-5, 6-7, and 9-10 years).
- Inclusion of multiple informants: mothers, teachers, and self-reports from children.
- Assessment of normative, subclinical, and clinical levels of behavior problems.
Main Results:
- No initial differences in concern for others were observed at 4-5 years of age across groups.
- Children with clinical behavior problems showed a significant decrease in concern by 6-7 years, corroborated by multiple informants.
- Boys with clinical problems exhibited more callousness, while girls consistently showed higher levels of concern than boys.
- Early concern for others (at 4-5 and 6-7 years) predicted reduced stability and severity of externalizing problems at later ages.
- Maternal socialization approaches were found to predict subsequent concerned responding in children.
Conclusions:
- Children with clinical behavior problems may experience a decline in concern for others during middle childhood.
- Developing concern for others in early childhood appears to be a protective factor against the persistence and severity of externalizing problems.
- Parental socialization strategies play a significant role in fostering prosocial behaviors and mitigating behavioral issues.
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