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The longitudinal relations between parenting and toddlers' attention problems and aggressive behaviors
C van Aken1, M Junger, M Verhoeven
1Utrecht University, The Netherlands. c.vanaken@uu.nl
Infant Behavior & Development
|February 19, 2008
Summary
This study tracked toddlers' externalizing behaviors and parenting styles. Findings show attention problems decreased while aggression increased, with parenting influencing these developmental trajectories.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Externalizing behaviors in toddlers are a significant concern for parents and researchers.
- Understanding the developmental course of these behaviors is crucial for early intervention.
- Parenting dimensions are hypothesized to influence child behavior development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine normative developmental trajectories of toddlers' externalizing behaviors.
- To investigate maternal and paternal parenting dimensions during toddlerhood.
- To explore the relationship between parenting trajectories and child externalizing behavior trajectories.
Main Methods:
- Latent growth models were employed to analyze intraindividual changes and interindividual differences.
- One hundred and eight boys were longitudinally assessed from 17 to 35 months of age.
- Multivariate models examined the interplay between parenting and child behavior over time.
Main Results:
- A significant linear decrease in attention problems was observed.
- A significant linear increase in aggressive behaviors was identified.
- Parenting dimensions showed meaningful contemporary and over-time relations with children's externalizing behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Toddlers exhibit distinct developmental trajectories for different externalizing behaviors.
- Parenting behaviors are dynamically related to the development of externalizing behaviors in toddlers.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering the interplay between parenting and child development.
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