Abstract
This study examined the role of anger in infancy and its interaction with maternal warmth in predicting children’s socioemotional
development. Participants included a demographically diverse sample of 316 mothers and children from the Project on Human
Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN) study. Infants were followed across 3 waves of data collection from birth through
5 years of age. Mothers reported on infant anger when children were approximately 4 months of age. Maternal warmth was assessed
via observation at both 4 months and 2 years. Children’s socioemotional outcomes were assessed at age 5, and included a direct
assessment of delay of gratification and maternal reports of internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Anger in infancy significantly
predicted higher levels of internalizing and externalizing behaviors at age 5. A main effect of anger on delay of gratification
was not supported. However, anger in infancy moderated the association between maternal warmth and delay of gratification,
such that only high-anger infants benefited from high maternal warmth. Similar interactive effects were not supported for
problem behaviors. These results provide modest support for the differential susceptibility hypothesis, which proposes that
highly reactive children are more susceptible to environmental risks and assets than other children. Specifically, findings
suggest that although anger can increase children’s vulnerability to problem behaviors, it can also be a motivating factor
for self-regulation in the presence of supportive parenting.
development. Participants included a demographically diverse sample of 316 mothers and children from the Project on Human
Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN) study. Infants were followed across 3 waves of data collection from birth through
5 years of age. Mothers reported on infant anger when children were approximately 4 months of age. Maternal warmth was assessed
via observation at both 4 months and 2 years. Children’s socioemotional outcomes were assessed at age 5, and included a direct
assessment of delay of gratification and maternal reports of internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Anger in infancy significantly
predicted higher levels of internalizing and externalizing behaviors at age 5. A main effect of anger on delay of gratification
was not supported. However, anger in infancy moderated the association between maternal warmth and delay of gratification,
such that only high-anger infants benefited from high maternal warmth. Similar interactive effects were not supported for
problem behaviors. These results provide modest support for the differential susceptibility hypothesis, which proposes that
highly reactive children are more susceptible to environmental risks and assets than other children. Specifically, findings
suggest that although anger can increase children’s vulnerability to problem behaviors, it can also be a motivating factor
for self-regulation in the presence of supportive parenting.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10826-011-9545-1
- Authors
- Rachel A. Razza, Department of Child and Family Studies, Syracuse University, 426 Ostrom Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA
- Anne Martin, National Center for Children and Families, Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 West 120th Street, Box 39, New York, NY 10027, USA
- Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, National Center for Children and Families, Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 West 120th Street, Box 39, New York, NY 10027, USA
- Journal Journal of Child and Family Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-2843
- Print ISSN 1062-1024