Article
A Longitudinal Relation between Infant Temperament and Toddler Behavior Problems: The Moderating Effects of Maternal Behaviors
| e-ISSN | 2982-6845 |
| p-ISSN | 1226-4474 |
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Abstract
The moderating effects of maternal behaviors on the association between fine-grained infant temperamentand toddler behavior problems were examined in a sample of 83 Korean infants(35 males, 39 females).Infant temperament was measured by maternal reports, and maternal behaviors were observed and recordedwhen infants were 12 months old. Toddler behavior problems were assessed by maternal reports at 18months. For the analysis, the hierarchical regression was conducted. Results showed that maternalresponsiveness exacerbated effects of infant activity level on toddler externalizing problems, but strengthenedprotecting effects of soothability on externalizing problems, and of low intensity pleasure on internalizingproblems. Additionally, maternal responsiveness mitigated effects of infant fear on internalizing problems.When fearful infants experienced more maternal negativity, they scored highest in behavior problems.When infant who scored high in low intensity pleasure had a more negative mother, they exhibited lessexternalizing problems. Low maternal intrusiveness exacerbated effects of infant distress to limitation andactivity level on externalizing problems, while strengthen buffering effects of soothability on internalizingproblems. These findings suggest more specific developmental paths of toddler behavior problems inrelation to various infant temperament and maternal behaviors during infancy, and can be applied toprevention and interventions.