Longitudinal study of self-regulation, positive parenting, and adjustment problems among physically abused children

Abstract

Objective Research using normative and high-risk samples indicates a significant link between problems with self-regulation and child maladjustment. Nevertheless, little is known about the processes that may modify the link between self-regulation and maladjustment. This longitudinal study examined the joint contributions of child self-regulation and positive parenting behaviors to the development of externalizing and internalizing symptomatology spanning from preschool to 1st grade. Methods Data were collected on a total of 95 physically abused children (58% boys); our longitudinal analyses involved 43 children at Time 1 (preschool), 63 children at Time 2 (kindergarten), and 54 children at Time 3 (1st grade). Children's self-regulation was measured by parent report, and their externalizing and internalizing symptomatology was evaluated by teachers. Parents completed self-report measures of positive parenting. Results Our structural equation modeling analyses revealed positive parenting as a protective factor that attenuated the concurrent association between low self-regulation and externalizing symptomatology among physically abused children. Our findings regarding longitudinal changes in children's externalizing symptomatology supported the differential susceptibility hypothesis: Physically abused children who were at greater risk due to low levels of self-regulation were more susceptible to the beneficial effects of positive parenting, compared to those with high levels of self-regulation. Conclusions Findings suggest that although physical abuse presents formidable challenges that interfere with the development of adaptive self-regulation, positive parenting behaviors may ameliorate the detrimental effects of maladaptive self-regulation on the development of externalizing symptomatology. In addition, the positive and negative effects of caregiving behaviors were more prominent among physically abused children at great risk due to low self-regulation. Practice Implications Findings from the present study highlight the importance of attending to positive parenting behaviors and child self-regulation when working with physically abused children who are exhibiting externalizing symptomatology.

A Longitudinal Study of Emotion Regulation, Emotion Lability‐Negativity, and Internalizing Symptomatology in Maltreated and Nonmaltreated Children

“…Indeed, the existing literature indicates that maltreated children show numerous deficits in the recognition, expression, and understanding of emotions (e.g., see Camras, Sachs-Alter, & Ribordy, 1996, for a review). Compared to nonmaltreated children, maltreated children exhibit higher levels of negative emotionality, particularly anger reactivity (Erickson et al, 1989;Gunnar & Donzella, 2002), and greater difficulties in regulating affective experiences (Kim-Spoon, Haskett, Longo, & Nice, 2012;Shipman et al, 2007). In addition, emotion regulation appears to be important for understanding linkages between maltreatment experiences and maladjustment.…”

Interdependencia Funcional de la Crianza Positiva Materna

“…Tanto las variables cohesión social del vecindario, como el apoyo social familiar fueron variables exógenas que presentaron relación con la crianza positiva, como se ha demostrado en otras investigaciones (Byrnes & Miller, 2012;Oravecz et al, 2011). Otros estudios apoyan las relaciones encontradas entre el apoyo social familiar, la cohesión social del vecindario y la crianza positiva a través de las variables salud positiva, autorregulación, autoestima, y bienestar psicológico (Diez-Roux & Mair, 2010;Grusec, 2011;Kim et al, 2012;Tahmassian et al, 2011). Mediante la cohesión social del vecindario y el apoyo social recibido de los familiares, es posible que las madres establezcan relaciones de confianza y reciprocidad con otros adultos (Nieminen, Martelin, Koskinen, Aro, Alanen & Hyypa, 2010), y es posible, además, que las relaciones sociales positivas afecten el nivel de percepción del estrés, así como el nivel del bienestar psicológico respecto de la crianza (Carpiano & Kimbro, 2012).…”

“…Otra de las trayectorias posibles entre la cohesión social y la crianza positiva, es la relación entre la variable cohesión social y la percepción del estado de salud general (DiezRoux & Mair, 2010), y a su vez, la asociación entre la percepción salud individual y la crianza positiva (Mensah & Kiernan, 2011), mediada por los procesos de autorregulación emocional y conductual (Kim, Haskett, Longo & Nice, 2012), y la autoestima (Tahmassian, Anari & Fathabadi, 2011). De acuerdo con Mensah y Kiernan (2011), la percepción de la buena salud general de las madres, facilita la crianza al brindar posibilidades para la atención, el control y la supervisión de los niños(as).…”

Internal working models and adjustment of physically abused children: the mediating role of self‐regulatory abilities

“…Teachers were contacted to schedule administration of the teacher‐report measures of regulation and adjustment within 1 month of clinic‐based measures. A detailed description of procedures, approved by the university IRB, is available in Haskett, Stelter, Proffit, and Nice () and Kim‐Spoon, Haskett, Longo, and Nice ().…”