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Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses
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Behavioral control in at-risk toddlers: the influence of the family check-up

Elizabeth C Shelleby1, Daniel S Shaw, Jeewon Cheong

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, 3137 Sennott Square, 210 South Bouquet Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. ecs38@pitt.edu

Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology : the Official Journal for the Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, American Psychological Association, Division 53
|April 13, 2012
PubMed

Insights

A family-centered intervention improved parental positive behavior support, leading to better child behavioral control. This enhanced control in children helped reduce the growth of behavior problems, highlighting proactive parenting

Area of Science:

  • Child Development
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Early behavior problems in children are a significant concern.
  • Understanding the mechanisms linking parenting support to child behavior is crucial.
  • Behavioral control is a key component of emotion regulation in early childhood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if a family-centered intervention enhances parental positive behavior support.
  • To examine the association between improved parental support and child behavioral control.
  • To determine if child behavioral control mediates the link between parenting support and the reduction of behavior problems.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 713 at-risk children and their caregivers.
  • Data collected via home visits, caregiver questionnaires, and structured child play activities from ages 2 to 4.
  • Assessed parental positive behavior support, child behavioral control, and child behavior problems.

Main Results:

  • The intervention successfully improved parental positive behavior support.
  • Intervention group children showed reduced growth in behavior problems.
  • Proactive parenting was linked to better child behavioral control at age 3, which predicted fewer behavior problems.
  • Child behavioral control mediated the relationship between parenting support improvements and behavior problem reduction.

Conclusions:

  • Family-centered interventions can positively impact parenting practices and child behavior.
  • Enhancing parental positive behavior support is vital for fostering children's behavioral control.
  • Child behavioral control is a critical factor in mitigating the development of early behavior problems.

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