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Relations among maternal socialization, effortful control, and maladjustment in early childhood

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2010

Nancy Eisenberg*
Affiliation:
Arizona State University
Tracy L. Spinrad
Affiliation:
Arizona State University
Natalie D. Eggum
Affiliation:
Arizona State University
Kassondra M. Silva
Affiliation:
Arizona State University
Mark Reiser
Affiliation:
Arizona State University
Claire Hofer
Affiliation:
Arizona State University
Cynthia L. Smith
Affiliation:
Arizona State University
Bridget M. Gaertner
Affiliation:
Arizona State University
Anne Kupfer
Affiliation:
Arizona State University
Tierney Popp
Affiliation:
Arizona State University
Nicole Michalik
Affiliation:
Arizona State University
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Nancy Eisenberg, Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1004; E-mail: nancy.eisenberg@asu.edu.

Abstract

In a sample of 18-, 30-, and 42-month-olds, the relations among parenting, effortful control (EC), and maladjustment were examined. Parenting was assessed with mothers' reports and observations; EC was measured with mothers' and caregivers' reports, as well as a behavioral task; and externalizing and internalizing symptoms were assessed with parents' and caregivers' reports. Although 18-month unsupportive (vs. supportive) parenting negatively predicted EC at 30 months, when the stability of these variables was taken into account, there was no evidence of additional potentially causal relations between these two constructs. Although EC was negatively related to both internalizing and externalizing problems within all three ages as well as across 1 year, EC did not predict maladjustment once the stability of the constructs and within time covariation between the constructs were taken into account. In addition, externalizing problems at 30 months negatively predicted EC at 42 months, and internalizing problems at 30 months positively predicted EC at 42 months, but only when the effects of externalizing on EC were controlled. The findings are discussed in terms of the reasons for the lack of causal relations over time.

Type
Regular Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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