Related Experiment Videos
Intrapersonal and maternal correlates of aggression, conflict, and externalizing problems in toddlers
K H Rubin1, P Hastings, X Chen
1Center for Children, Relationships, and Culture, University of Maryland, College Park 20742-1131, USA. krubin@rubinlab.umd.edu
Insights
Toddler aggression is influenced by a complex interplay of factors. For boys, high levels of negative maternal dominance combined with dysregulated temperament significantly predicted aggressive behavior and externalizing problems.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Toddlers exhibit peer-directed aggression and conflict initiation.
- Factors influencing variability in toddler aggression remain under-researched.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate predictors of toddler aggression and externalizing difficulties.
- To examine the roles of child temperament, gender, and maternal interactional style.
Main Methods:
- Observational study of 104 toddlers (52 female) during free play with a same-sex peer.
- Mothers were present during observation sessions.
- Regression analyses were used to identify significant predictors.
Main Results:
- Boys exhibited higher aggression than girls.
- Child gender, temperament, and maternal negative dominance interacted to predict aggression and externalizing difficulties.
- Dysregulated temperament was linked to aggression and externalizing problems primarily in boys with highly dominant mothers.
Conclusions:
- Toddler aggression is not solely determined by individual factors but by interactions between child characteristics and maternal behavior.
- Maternal negative dominance is a critical factor, particularly for boys with dysregulated temperaments.
- Early out-of-home care experience did not correlate with aggression levels.
Abstract:
Research has shown that 2-year-olds engage in peer-directed aggression and initiation of conflict. However, there has been little consideration of the factors associated with variability in toddlers' aggression. One hundred and four toddlers (52 females) were observed for 35 min of free play with a same-sex peer, with both mothers present. Experience in early out-of-home care was not related to aggression. Toddlers' observed and mother-rated dysregulated temperament, and mothers' use of warmth and negative dominance during interactions with their children, were used to predict toddlers' aggression and maternal ratings of externalizing difficulties. Boys were observed to be more aggressive than girls. Regression analyses showed that, after controlling for main effects, the interaction of child gender, temperament, and maternal negative dominance predicted both outcomes. Observed aggression and mother-reported externalizing problems were associated significantly with dysregulated temperament only for boys with mothers who demonstrated relatively high levels of negative dominance.