Difficult temperament and negative parenting in early childhood: a genetically informed cross‐lagged analysis

Abstract

A genetically informed longitudinal cross-lagged model was applied to twin data to explore etiological links between difficult temperament and negative parenting in early childhood. The sample comprised 313 monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs. Difficult temperament and negative parenting were assessed at ages 2 and 3 using parent ratings. Both constructs were interrelated within and across age (rs .34–.47) and showed substantial stability (rs .65–.68). Difficult temperament and negative parenting were influenced by genetic and environmental factors at ages 2 and 3. The genetic and nonshared environmental correlations (rs .21–.76) at both ages suggest overlap at the level of etiology between the phenotypes. Significant bidirectional associations between difficult temperament and negative parenting were found. The cross-lagged association from difficult temperament at age 2 to negative parenting at age 3 and from negative parenting at age 2 and difficult temperament at age 3 were due to genetic, shared environmental, and nonshared environmental factors. Substantial novel genetic and nonshared environmental influences emerged at age 3 and suggest change in the etiology of these constructs over time.

Patterns of Sensitivity to Parenting and Peer Environments: Early Temperament and Adolescent Externalizing Behavior

“…Youth high on reactive temperament had higher anger (10 items, α = .74, factor loading = .83), sadness (10 items, α = .63, factor loading = .77), and behavioral activity (10 items, α = .57, factor loading = .67), as well as lower inhibition (10 items, α = .82, factor loading = −.40) and soothability (10 items, α = .67, factor loading = −.53). Previous studies using similar composite scores of reactive temperament from the TBAQ have demonstrated excellent reliability (Micalizzi, Wang, & Saudino, ), convergent validity with other temperament measures (e.g., Infant Behavior Questionnaire; Majdandžić, Möller, de Vente, Bögels, & van den Boom, ), and good temporal stability from infancy to early childhood (Majdandžić et al., ).…”

Transactional Relationships among Children’s Negative Emotionality, Mothers’ Depression, and Parenting Behavior

“…, Kim Chung 0-3 . (Micalizzi et al, 2017) (Perry, Dollar, Calkins, & Bell, 2017) . , • (Lee, Zhou, Eisenberg, & Wang, 2013) .…”

“…, (Eisenberg, Cumberland, & Spinrad 1998) J. Kim & Chung, 2015;Micalizzi et al, 2017;Perry et al, 2017) . Abidin (1992) .…”

Maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring executive function: What do we know and what are the next steps?

“…For example, a child who is less attentive in infancy may elicit negative reactions from caregivers, creating a negative feedback loop that further impairs the child's development (Wiebe et al, 2014). It should be noted, however, that parent and child behavior is reciprocal, with each member of the dyad shaping the interaction (e.g., Micalizzi, Wang, & Saudino, 2015). Therefore, it is essential to consider the contributions of both dyadic partners to shaping the bidirectional interactions that may promote or hinder child development.…”