Developmental psychopathology and the reciprocal patterning of behavior and environment: Distinctive situational and behavioral signatures of internalizing, externalizing, and mixed-syndrome children.

Abstract

In contrast to assessment approaches that conceptualize traits as generalized response tendencies, this research develops a conditional approach that conceptualizes traits as patterns of relations between contexts and behaviors. Using extensive observations of social interactions, this study investigated internalizing, externalizing, and mixed-syndrome children identified by T. M. Achenbach's (1993) measures. Children in these groups differed in the patterning of their responses to social contexts and in the likelihood of encountering them. Mixed-syndrome children showed a distinctive behavior pattern consisting of aggressive and withdrawn responses to nonaversive contexts. The results demonstrate how measures of overall tendencies confound person and environment influences and obscure differences between children that are revealed by contextualized measures. The need to incorporate contexts more fully into clinical assessment is discussed.

Pure Versus Co-occurring Externalizing and Internalizing Symptoms in Children: The Potential Role of Socio-Developmental Milestones

“…Consistent with this theory and as described in the prior review, internalizing symptoms have been associated with elevated rates of withdrawal and avoidance (Wright et al, 1999) and increased time spent in solitary activities (Coie & Dodge, 1988). These avoidant and isolative behaviors, in turn, are hypothesized to lead to peer neglect (Coie & Dodge, 1988) or rejection (Rubin & Mills, 1988).…”

“…There have been several studies that provide support for an association between heightened anxiety and behavioral inhibition and decreased levels of externalizing symptoms, including aggression (Keiley et al, 2003;Wright et al, 1999). The protective role of behavioral inhibition has also been corroborated by Lahey and colleagues (1999), with results suggesting a negative association between behavioral inhibition and later levels of antisocial and aggressive behavior.…”

“…In another study, children with co-occurring anxiety and aggression were more likely to manifest high levels of later aggression than children with pure anxiety or aggression (Ialongo, Edelsohn, Werthamer-Larsson, & Crockett, 1996). Overall, children with co-occurring internalizing and externalizing symptoms have also been shown to have greater social impairments Rudolph et al, 1994;Wright, Zakriski, & Drinkwater, 1999), increasingly disordered relationships (Thomas & Guskin, 2001), more deviance, and higher rates of school failure (Wright et al, 1999).…”

Peer-Nominated Deviant Talk Within Residential Treatment: Individual and Group Influences on Treatment Response

“…Youth are primarily from low-to middle-income backgrounds, but 33% are privately funded and from higher income families. Past research (Ayduk et al 2007;Wright et al 1999) indicates average cognitive functioning: WISC Verbal (M=97.9), Performance (M=99.1), and Full (M=98.5). Research consent was obtained from guardians during the admission process (96% consent rate).…”

“…Behavioral observations were obtained using a handheld computer version of the Behavior Observation System (BOS; Shoda et al 1994;Wright et al 1999;Zakriski et al 2005). Staff completed PBOS observations at the end of each structured period (e.g., academics, group therapy, activities).…”