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Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
08:09

Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood

Published on: February 11, 2017

Characterizing Early Childhood Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

Ji Su Hong1,2, Amie F Bettencourt1, Joan Luby3

  • 1Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.

JAACAP Open
|July 31, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Early childhood disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (EC-DMDD) is identifiable in preschoolers and linked to significant functional impairment and comorbidities. This research highlights the need for early detection and intervention for EC-DMDD in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) in DSM-5 is defined for children 6+, but symptoms often appear earlier.
  • Early identification of DMDD symptoms in preschoolers is crucial for timely intervention.
  • Preschoolers with chronic irritability and temper outbursts may represent an early form of DMDD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize early childhood DMDD (EC-DMDD) in a preschool sample.
  • To identify distinct classes of irritability and temper tantrums in young children.
  • To compare EC-DMDD with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) in preschoolers.

Main Methods:

  • Latent class analysis of data from 302 preschoolers (ages 3-5).
  • Utilized comprehensive assessments including the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment.
  • Compared EC-DMDD with ODD and MDD groups, examining functional impairment via regression analysis.

Main Results:

  • Latent class analysis identified three groups: regulated, EC-DMDD, and transient irritability.
  • The EC-DMDD class showed higher rates of co-occurring disorders, symptoms, and functional impairment.
  • EC-DMDD was associated with more frequent irritability, tantrums, and impairment compared to ODD, and externalizing symptoms versus MDD.

Conclusions:

  • EC-DMDD can be identified in preschoolers and is distinctly associated with increased impairment.
  • Findings support the need for further longitudinal research on EC-DMDD in larger samples.
  • Early detection of EC-DMDD in preschoolers is vital for addressing associated risks and functional deficits.
Abstract

Keywords:
early childhood disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (EC-DMDD)functional impairmentsirritabilitypreschoolerstemper outbursts

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