Development of disruptive behaviors in young children: A prospective population‐based cohort study

Abstract

We know relatively little about the development of disruptive behaviors (DBs), and gender differences therein. The objective of this study was to describe the continuity and discontinuity in the degree to which young children in the general population are reported to exhibit specific DBs over time. Data came from the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. First, the results show that relatively few children exhibit DBs on a frequent basis at 41 months of age. Second, the results show that a majority of children who exhibit a particular DB on a frequent basis at 41 months of age did not do so 1 year earlier. In addition, a majority of children who exhibited a particular DB on a frequent basis at 29 months of age no longer do so 1 year later. Third, gender differences in DBs (boys girls) are either emerging or at least increasing in magnitude between 29 and 41 months of age. Consistent with the canalization of the behavioral development principle, children who exhibited DBs on a frequent basis at 29 months of age are less likely to stop doing so in the following year if they had exhibited the same behaviors at 17 months of age.

EEG asymmetry at 10 months of age: Are temperament trait predictors different for boys and girls?

“…Consistent with the theoretical model articulated by Crick and Zahn‐Waxler (), gender influenced the nature of the relationships between earlier manifestations of reactivity/regulation and frontal asymmetry indicators obtained later in infancy. Although interaction effects observed in this study await replication and extension, this early gender‐related difference in the associations between temperament and physiological markers of emotional state could cascade into gender differences in symptoms/behavior problems, frequently observed later in childhood (Baillargeon, Morisset, Keenan, Normand, & Séguin, ; Zahn‐Waxler, Klimes‐Dougan, & Slattery, ).…”

Comorbid Development of Disruptive Behaviors from age 1½ to 5 Years in a Population Birth-Cohort and Association with School Adjustment in First Grade

“…This construct refers to a child's defiance, nonadherence and non-compliance with an adult's requests or rules that occur along with a lack of guilt after misbehaving as well as to nonresponsiveness to external control (e.g., punishment). Similar constructs have alternatively been labeled opposition-defiance or disregard for rules in previous studies Baillargeon, Morisset, Keenan et al 2012;Baillargeon, Normand, Séguin et al 2007;Petitclerc et al 2009;2011). The items describing NC category were: is rebellious/defiant or refuses to comply with adults' requests or rules; has no remorse after misconduct; doesn't change his/her behavior after being punished.…”

Advancing a Multidimensional, Developmental Spectrum Approach to Preschool Disruptive Behavior

“…Given the rapidity of change in developmental capacity across the preschool period and the centrality of sex differences in psychopathology expression, testing for age and sex differences is also an important aspect of this developmental framework. 27,28 …”