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Smart Beginnings Predicts Reduced Externalizing Behavior Via Parental Negative Demeanor During Discipline
Caitlin F Canfield1, Ashleigh I Aviles2, Elizabeth B Miller3
1Department of Pediatrics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY.
Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology
|May 7, 2025
Summary
The Smart Beginnings (SB) intervention reduced parental negative affect during discipline, which indirectly lowered child externalizing behaviors. This tiered prevention model shows promise for improving parenting and preventing child behavior problems.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Developmental Psychology
- Family Studies
Background:
- Parenting behaviors significantly influence child development and behavior.
- Negative parental affect during discipline is linked to increased child externalizing behaviors.
- Early intervention programs can mitigate risks associated with negative parenting and child behavior issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of the Smart Beginnings (SB) tiered intervention on parental negative affect during discipline.
- To assess the effect of the SB intervention on children's externalizing behavior.
- To examine the indirect effects of the intervention on child behavior through parental affect.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial with 273 families assigned to SB or control groups at birth.
- Parental negative affect during discipline assessed via parent report at age four.
- Child externalizing behavior assessed via parent report at age six.
Main Results:
- Families in the SB group showed significantly reduced parental negative affect during discipline compared to controls.
- Parental negative affect during discipline partially mediated the effect of the SB intervention on child externalizing behavior.
- These effects were observed in the full sample and specifically in higher-risk families.
Conclusions:
- The Smart Beginnings (SB) intervention effectively reduces negative parental affect during discipline.
- Promoting positive parent-child interactions through interventions can prevent child behavior problems.
- Tiered prevention models integrating universal and targeted strategies have significant implications for early intervention implementation.
Keywords:
child externalizing behaviordisciplineexternalizing behaviorparent discipline strategiesparent negative demeanorparentingparenting interventionpreventionMore Related Videos
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