The role of language ability and self-regulation in the development of inattentive–hyperactive behavior problems. (15th July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Belsky, Jay; van IJzendoorn, Marinus H.; Petersen, Isaac T.; Bates, John E.; Staples, Angela D.
• Is Part Of: Development and psychopathology. Volume 27:Number 1(2015:Feb.)
• Page Start: 221
• Page End: 237
• Publication Date: 2014-07-15
• Subjects: Child psychopathology -- Periodicals; Developmental psychology -- Periodicals; Psychology, Pathological -- Periodicals; 618.9289
• DOI: 10.1017/S0954579414000698
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-5794

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Previous research has found associations but not established mechanisms of developmental linkage between language ability and inattentive–hyperactive (I-H) behavior problems. The present study examined whether self-regulation mediates the effect of language ability on later I-H behavior problems among young children (<italic>N</italic> = 120) assessed at 30, 36, and 42 months of age. Cross-lagged panel models tested the direction of effect between language ability and self-regulation and longitudinal effects of language ability on later I-H problems mediated by self-regulation. Language ability was measured by children's scores on the receptive and expressive language subtests of the Differential Ability Scales. Self-regulation was measured by three behavioral tasks requiring inhibitory control. I-H problems were reported by parents and secondary caregivers. Language ability predicted later self-regulation as measured by all three tasks. There was no association, however, between self-regulation and later language ability, suggesting that the direction of effect was stronger from language ability to later self-regulation. Moreover, the effect of language ability on later I-H behavior problems was mediated by children's self-regulation in one of the tasks (for secondary caregivers' but not parents' ratings). Findings suggest that language deficits may explain later I-H behavior problems via their prediction of poorer self-regulatory skills.</p> </abstract>