Abstract
Temperament was examined as a moderator of maternal parenting behaviors, including warmth, negativity, autonomy granting,
and guidance. Observations of parenting and questionnaire measures of temperament and adjustment were obtained from a community
sample (N = 214; ages 8–12). Trajectories of depression and anxiety were assessed across 3 years. The pattern of parenting as a predictor
of internalizing symptoms depended on temperament. Maternal negativity predicted increases in depression for children low
in fear. Effortful control moderated sensitivity to maternal negativity, autonomy granting, and guidance. Children low in
effortful control reported more symptoms in the presence of negative or poor-fitting parenting. The results support differential
responding, but also suggest that temperament may render children vulnerable for the development of problems regardless of
parenting.
and guidance. Observations of parenting and questionnaire measures of temperament and adjustment were obtained from a community
sample (N = 214; ages 8–12). Trajectories of depression and anxiety were assessed across 3 years. The pattern of parenting as a predictor
of internalizing symptoms depended on temperament. Maternal negativity predicted increases in depression for children low
in fear. Effortful control moderated sensitivity to maternal negativity, autonomy granting, and guidance. Children low in
effortful control reported more symptoms in the presence of negative or poor-fitting parenting. The results support differential
responding, but also suggest that temperament may render children vulnerable for the development of problems regardless of
parenting.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s10802-011-9539-x
- Authors
- Cara J. Kiff, Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Box 351525, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Liliana J. Lengua, Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Box 351525, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Nicole R. Bush, Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, USA
- Journal Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2835
- Print ISSN 0091-0627