Impact of Behavioral Inhibition and Parenting Style on Internalizing and Externalizing Problems from Early Childhood through Adolescence

Abstract

Behavioral inhibition (BI) is characterized by a pattern of extreme social reticence, risk for internalizing behavior problems, and possible protection against externalizing behavior problems. Parenting style may also contribute to these associations between BI and behavior problems (BP). A sample of 113 children was assessed for BI in the laboratory at 14 and 24 months of age, self-report of maternal parenting style at 7 years of age, and maternal report of child internalizing and externalizing BP at 4, 7, and 15 years. Internalizing problems at age 4 were greatest among behaviorally inhibited children who also were exposed to permissive parenting. Furthermore, greater authoritative parenting was associated with less of an increase in internalizing behavior problems over time and greater authoritarian parenting was associated with a steeper decline in externalizing problems. Results highlight the importance of considering child and environmental factors in longitudinal patterns of BP across childhood and adolescence.

Temperament and Family Environment in the Development of Anxiety Disorder: Two-Year Follow-up

“…Whilst this is not in keeping with theoretical models, [9][10] it is reasonably consistent with the previous studies that have examined BI alongside environmental risk factors using questionnaire measures. Although BI and environment interactions have been reported for the prediction of internalising problems and temperament, 17,31 no BI by family environment interactions have consistently been found for child anxiety.…”

Assessing Early Memories of Threat and Subordination: Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Early Life Experiences Scale for Adolescents

“…For instance, literature on socialization practices and their effects provides evidence that warmth, loving and caring environments are related to positive developmental outcomes (Muris et al 2003;Roelofs et al 2006;Steinberg 2002;Williams et al 2009). In contrast, early exposure to threats, in the form of abuse, rejection, neglect, criticism and bullying, are known to be associated with increased vulnerabilities to mental health difficulties and can be translated in psychopathology and maladjustment in adulthood Gilbert et al 2006;Irons et al 2006;Matos and Pinto-Gouveia 2010;Matos et al 2011Matos et al , 2013Richter et al 2009;Slavich and Cole 2013;Stuewig and McCloskey 2005).…”

Multi‐level risk factors and developmental assets associated with aggressive behavior in disadvantaged adolescents

“…Based on existing research documenting that aggression decreased over time (Bongers et al, 2003;Miner & Clarke-Stewart, 2008;Williams et al, 2009), we predicted that over the 3-year study, we would witness a similar decrease. However, Hypothesis 1 was not supported and there was no significant change in aggression over time.…”

“…In terms of age, aggression is common during early childhood and generally decreases into late childhood and throughout adolescence (Bongers, Koot, van der Ender, & Verhulst, 2003;Miner & Clarke-Stewart, 2008;Williams et al, 2009). In regard to socioeconomic status, poverty has been associated with an increased risk for aggressive behavior.…”