Temperament and Parenting during the First Year of Life Predict Future Child Conduct Problems

Authors

Benjamin B. Lahey, University of Chicago
Carol A. Van Hulle, University of Chicago
Kate Keenan, University of Chicago
Paul J. Rathouz, University of Chicago
Brian M. D’Onofrio, Indiana University
Joseph Lee Rodgers, University of Oklahoma
Irwin D. Waldman, Emory University

Abstract

Predictive associations between parenting and temperament during the first year of life and child conduct problems were assessed longitudinally in 1,863 offspring of a representative sample of women. Key findings include:

• Maternal ratings of infant fussiness, activity level, predictability, and positive affect were independent predictors of maternal ratings of conduct problems during ages 4-13 years.
• An interaction indicated that infants who were low in fussiness and high in predictability had a very low risk for future conduct problems.
• Fussiness was a stronger predictor of conduct problems in boys, while fearfulness was a stronger predictor in girls.
• Conduct problems were robustly predicted by low early mother-reported cognitive stimulation.
• Interviewer-rated maternal responsiveness was a strong predictor of conduct problems, particularly among infants low in fearfulness.
• Spanking during infancy predicted more severe conduct problems but was moderated by infant fussiness and positive affect.
  Overall, differences in temperament during the first year contribute to the risk of child conduct problems and are influenced by early parenting, with interactions between parenting and temperament being crucial.