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Temperamental predictors of externalizing problems among boys and girls: a longitudinal study in a high-risk sample from ages 3 months to 15 years

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Abstract

In a high-risk community sample, we examined the role of regulative temperament and emotionality as well as the extent of gender specificity in the development of externalizing problems. 151 boys and 157 girls born at differing degrees of obstetric and psychosocial risk were followed from birth into adolescence. In infancy and childhood, NYLS-derived temperamental characteristics were assessed by a highly structured parent interview and standardized behavioral observations. At age 15 years, externalizing problems were measured by the Child Behavior Checklist. As revealed by multiple linear regression and logistic regression, low regulative abilities predicted adolescent behavioral and attentional problems over and above obstetric and psychosocial risks. Gender specificity was found in the strength of the association rather than in the kind with a stronger long-term prediction from infant and toddler temperament in girls. Compared to regulative abilities, temperament factors describing aspects of mood and fear/withdrawal versus approach tendencies played a minor role in the development of externalizing problems. Findings are discussed in terms of gender-specific risk factors and possible differential developmental trajectories to subtypes of disruptive behavior.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) as part of the Special Research Program SFB 258 ‘Indicators and Risk Models of the Genesis and Course of Mental Disorders’ at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, and from the Federal Ministry for Education and Research—01EB0110—‘Baden-Wuerttemberg Consortium for Addiction Research’. We thank the parents and children for their participation in the study.

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  1. Martina Pitzer

    Present address: Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Klinikum Karlsruhe, Moltkestraße 90, 76133, Karlsruhe, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, P.O. Box 122120, 68072, Mannheim, Germany

    Martina Pitzer, Martin H. Schmidt & Manfred Laucht

  2. Division of Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany

    Guenter Esser & Manfred Laucht

Authors
  1. Martina Pitzer
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  2. Guenter Esser
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  3. Martin H. Schmidt
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  4. Manfred Laucht
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Martina Pitzer.

Appendices

Appendix A: Definition of obstetric risk groups1

figure a

Appendix B: Definition of psychosocial risk groups2

figure b

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Pitzer, M., Esser, G., Schmidt, M.H. et al. Temperamental predictors of externalizing problems among boys and girls: a longitudinal study in a high-risk sample from ages 3 months to 15 years. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 259, 445–458 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-009-0009-1

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