RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: Together with family factors, early care and education (ECE) services were shown to improve school readiness in kindergarten. However, it is not clear whether better school readiness at age 6 years translates into higher rates of high school graduation years later. Our objective was therefore to investigate the long-term associations between the use of ECE and high school graduation while considering the sex of the child and the socioeconomic status of the parents as moderators. METHODS: Participants were children from the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Child Development (QLSCD) born in 1997 to 1998 (N = 2001). Intensity and type of ECE exposure were measured from age 5 months to 5 years. Administrative records were used to determine whether students had obtained a high school diploma by age 20 years. Factors explaining differences in the profiles of ECE users were controlled using propensity score weights. RESULTS: Twenty-two percent of students did not have a high school diploma by age 20 years. Compared with children never exposed to center-based care, those exposed early (i.e., before toddlerhood) had better odds of graduating from high school (odds ratio = 1.49) after controlling for confounding factors. Late exposure to center-based care was not related to high school graduation rates. CONCLUSION: Exposure to regulated and center-based ECE on a regular basis from toddlerhood to school entry was associated with higher rates of high school graduation. Regulated center-based ECE at the population level may improve rates of high school graduation.

Asunto(s)

Intervención Educativa Precoz , Instituciones Académicas , Adulto , Niño , Preescolar , Escolaridad , Humanos , Estudios Longitudinales , Estudiantes , Adulto Joven

RESUMEN

Recent studies have shown that the association between maternal depression and child outcome can be moderated by children's experience of childcare (e.g., daycare) during early childhood (0-5 years). We also know that maternal depression in the child's early years has long-term associations with child development. However, the moderating role of childcare quality on long-term associations between maternal depression and child outcome has not been thoroughly investigated. This article examined longitudinal associations between probable maternal depression (PMD) during early childhood (0-5 years) and childcare quality on children's emotional and behavioral development at the age of 7-8 years (N = 207). Childcare quality was evaluated through observations within the settings. PMD during early childhood was assessed using complementary information from interviews conducted with the mother and current maternal symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Internalizing and externalizing behaviors were reported by the mother, father and the child at age 7-8 years. Results indicate that when mothers reported clinically relevant depression in early childhood, 7-8-year-old children demonstrate fewer behavioral problems if they attended a higher quality childcare setting. The moderating role of childcare quality remained after considering current maternal depression symptoms. Therefore, it is important to ensure high-quality childcare during early childhood to optimize child development.

Asunto(s)

Trastornos de la Conducta Infantil/psicología , Salud Infantil/normas , Depresión/psicología , Emociones/fisiología , Salud Materna/normas , Problema de Conducta/psicología , Adulto , Niño , Desarrollo Infantil , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Resultado del Tratamiento

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Child-care services during early childhood provide opportunities for social interactions that may facilitate children's learning of acceptable social behaviors. Furthermore, they may reduce exposure to family adversity for some children. The aim of this study was to determine whether intensity of exposure to child-care services prior to age 5 years has a beneficial effect on disruptive behavior problems during adolescence, and whether the effect is more pronounced for children from low socioeconomic families. METHODS: N = 1,588 participants from the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development were assessed 14 times from 5 months to 17 years. Intensity of child-care exposure was measured from 5 months to 5 years of age. Main outcomes were self-reported physical aggression and opposition from age 12 to 17 years. Family socioeconomic status (SES) was measured at 5 months. Factors explaining differences in child-care use were controlled using propensity score weights (PSW). RESULTS: Children exposed to moderate-intensity child-care services (part-time child-care services before 1½ years and full time afterward) reported lower levels of physical aggression (d = -.11, p = .056) and opposition (d = -.14, p = .029) during adolescence compared to children exposed to low-intensity child-care services. A significant child care by SES interaction (p = .017) for physical aggression indicated that the moderate-intensity child-care effect was specific to children from low SES families (d = -.36, p = .002). No interaction with socioeconomic status was found for opposition. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate-intensity child-care services from infancy to school entry may prevent disruptive behavior during adolescence, especially for disadvantaged children.

Asunto(s)

Conducta del Adolescente , Agresión , Déficit de la Atención y Trastornos de Conducta Disruptiva/epidemiología , Cuidado del Niño/estadística & datos numéricos , Pobreza/estadística & datos numéricos , Problema de Conducta , Clase Social , Adolescente , Experiencias Adversas de la Infancia/estadística & datos numéricos , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Estudios Longitudinales , Masculino , Quebec/epidemiología

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Maternal depression is a risk factor for adverse outcomes in the child, including emotional and behavioural difficulties. There is evidence that child care attendance during the preschool years may moderate associations between familial risk factors and child outcome. However, the possibility that high-quality child care provides protection for children exposed to maternal depression or that low-quality child care provides additional risk has not been investigated. We study whether child-care quality moderates the association between probable history of maternal depression (PMD) and child behavioural and emotional outcomes over the preschool period. METHODS: Within a longitudinal study, we examined PMD (no depression; clinical PMD before the child's birth; subclinical PMD from 0 to 5 years; clinical PMD from 0 to 5 years), child-care quality and child emotional and behavioural difficulties at the ages of 2, 3 and 4 years. Child-care quality was evaluated in settings, and trajectories were calculated to reflect (a) global quality and (b) two quality subfactors: 'Teaching and interactions' and 'Provision for learning'. Data were analysed for 264 families. RESULTS: Significant interactions emerged between clinical PMD and global quality of child care for children's externalising behaviour (b = -.185, p = .008), more specifically hyperactivity/inattention (b = -.237, p = .002). In the context of clinical PMD, children attending high-quality child care presented fewer difficulties than those attending a low-quality care. Child-care quality was not associated with outcomes for children whose mothers did not report a PMD or a PMD before their birth. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of PMD, high-quality child care was associated with fewer behavioural problems and may thus constitute a protective factor.

Asunto(s)

Trastornos de la Conducta Infantil/epidemiología , Cuidado del Niño/estadística & datos numéricos , Guarderías Infantiles/estadística & datos numéricos , Hijo de Padres Discapacitados/estadística & datos numéricos , Trastorno Depresivo/epidemiología , Madres/estadística & datos numéricos , Adulto , Niño , Cuidado del Niño/normas , Guarderías Infantiles/normas , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Estudios Longitudinales , Masculino , Quebec/epidemiología , Factores de Riesgo

RESUMEN

We report on the psychometric properties of the Mental Health and Social Inadaptation Assessment for Adolescents (MIA), a self-report instrument for quantifying the frequency of mental health and psychosocial adaptation problems using a dimensional approach and based on the DSM-5. The instrument includes 113 questions, takes 20-25 minutes to answer, and covers the past 12 months. A population-based cohort of adolescents (n = 1443, age = 15 years; 48% males) rated the frequency at which they experienced symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Depression, Generalized Anxiety, Social Phobia, Eating Disorders (i.e. DSM disorders), Self-harm, Delinquency, Psychopathy as well as social adaptation problems (e.g. aggression). They also rated interference with functioning in four contexts (family, friends, school, daily life). Reliability analyses indicated good to excellent internal consistency for most scales (alpha = 0.70-0.97) except Psychopathy (alpha = 0.46). The hypothesized structure of the instrument showed acceptable fit according to confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) [Chi-square (4155) = 9776.2, p = 0.000; Chi-square/DF = 2.35; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.031; Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.864], and good convergent and discriminant validity according to multitrait-multimethods analysis. This initial study showed adequate internal validity and reliability of the MIA. Our findings open the way for further studies investigating other validity aspects, which are necessary before recommending the wide use of the MIA in research and clinical settings.

Asunto(s)

Conducta del Adolescente/psicología , Delincuencia Juvenil/psicología , Trastornos Mentales/diagnóstico , Escalas de Valoración Psiquiátrica/normas , Psicometría/normas , Ajuste Social , Adolescente , Estudios de Cohortes , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Overweight is associated with depression and anxiety among adults. It is unclear whether this association begins in childhood. Overweight among children is associated with a higher risk of peer victimization, and may mediate an association between overweight and internalizing symptoms. No study has tested this hypothesis in a longitudinal population-based sample using developmental trajectories of overweight in middle childhood. METHODS: Data was drawn from the population-based Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. A three-group trajectory model of overweight development (6-12 years) was previously identified using a semi-parametric group-based approach (n=1678): "early-onset" (11.0%), "late-onset" (16.6%) and "never overweight" (72.5%). Mediation models tested the link between overweight status and child-reported depression and anxiety at 13 years via peer victimization and body dissatisfaction. RESULTS: Children on an early-onset overweight trajectory were at increased risk for both depression (B=.318, 95% CI=.141;.496) and anxiety (B=.262, 95% CI=.09;.44) at 13 years. These direct associations were mediated by peer victimization and subsequent desire to be thinner. Children on a late-onset childhood overweight trajectory were at increased risk for both depression (B=.332, 95% CI=.187;.477) and anxiety (B=.215; 95% CI=.072;.358) at 13 years, mediated by the desire to be thinner. LIMITATIONS: We were unable to control for previous levels of body dissatisfaction. Our measure of peer victimization was not specific to weight-based teasing. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight during middle childhood increases risk of early adolescence internalizing symptoms. Peer victimization and body dissatisfaction are partly responsible for this link.

Asunto(s)

Acoso Escolar , Víctimas de Crimen/psicología , Mecanismos de Defensa , Obesidad Infantil/psicología , Adolescente , Ansiedad/psicología , Peso Corporal , Niño , Desarrollo Infantil , Depresión/psicología , Femenino , Humanos , Control Interno-Externo , Estudios Longitudinales , Masculino , Grupo Paritario , Quebec

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To determine if child-care services (CCS) at a population level can reduce social inequalities in academic performance until early adolescence. METHODS: A 12-year population-based prospective cohort study of families with a newborn (n = 1269). Two CCS variables were estimated: "intensity" (low, moderate, and high number of hours) and "center-based CCS type" (early onset, late onset, and never exposed to center-based CCS). RESULTS: Children from low socioeconomic status (SES) families who received high-intensity CCS (any type), compared with those who received low-intensity CCS, had significantly better reading (standardized effect size [ES] = 0.37), writing (ES = 0.37), and mathematics (ES = 0.46) scores. Children from low-SES families who received center-based CCS, compared with those who never attended center care, had significantly better reading (ESearly onset = 0.68; ESlate onset = 0.37), writing (ESearly onset = 0.79), and mathematics (ESearly onset = 0.66; ESlate onset = 0.39) scores. Furthermore, early participation in center-based CCS eliminated the differences between children of low and adequate SES on all 3 examinations (ES = -0.01, 0.13, and -0.02 for reading, writing, and mathematics, respectively). These results were obtained while controlling for a wide range of child and family variables from birth to school entry. CONCLUSIONS: Child care services (any type) can reduce the social inequalities in academic performance up to early adolescence, while early participation in center-based CCS can eliminate this inequality. CCS use, especially early participation in center-based CCS, should be strongly encouraged for children growing up in a low-SES family.

Asunto(s)

Cuidado del Niño/estadística & datos numéricos , Escolaridad , Factores Socioeconómicos , Adolescente , Canadá , Niño , Servicios de Salud del Niño , Preescolar , Estudios de Cohortes , Evaluación Educacional , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Estudios Longitudinales , Masculino , Estudios Prospectivos , Sistema de Registros

RESUMEN

This study examined the contribution of nonparental child-care services received during the preschool years to the development of social behavior between kindergarten and the end of elementary school with a birth cohort from Québec, Canada (N = 1,544). Mothers reported on the use of child-care services, while elementary school teachers rated children's shyness, social withdrawal, prosociality, opposition, and aggression. Children who received nonparental child-care services were less shy, less socially withdrawn, more oppositional, and more aggressive at school entry (age 6 years). However, these differences disappeared during elementary school as children who received exclusive parental care caught up with those who received nonparental care services. This "catch-up" effect from the perspective of children's adaptation to the social group is discussed.

Asunto(s)

Adaptación Psicológica/fisiología , Conducta Infantil/psicología , Cuidado del Niño/psicología , Desarrollo Infantil/fisiología , Sistema de Registros , Conducta Social , Agresión , Niño , Femenino , Procesos de Grupo , Humanos , Masculino , Quebec , Timidez

RESUMEN

In the current prospective study, we investigated (1) whether high and low BMI in early childhood puts a child at risk of victimization by their peers, and (2) whether being victimized increases BMI over the short- and long-term, independent of the effect of BMI on victimization. We also examined whether gender moderated these prospective associations. Participants were 1,344 children who were assessed yearly from ages 3 to 10 years as part of the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (QLSCD). BMI predicted annual increases in victimization for girls aged 6 years and over; for boys aged 7 and 8 years of age, higher BMI reduced victimization over the school year. Further, victimization predicted annual increases in BMI for girls after age 6 years. When these short-term effects were held constant, victimization was also shown to have a three and 5-year influence on annual BMI changes for girls from age 3 years. These short- and long-term cross-lagged effects were evident when the effects of family adversity were controlled. The findings support those from previous prospective research showing a link between higher BMI and victimization, but only for girls. Further, being victimized increased the likelihood that girls would put on weight over time, which then increased future victimization. The implications of these prospective findings for interventions are considered. Aggr. Behav. 42:109-122, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Asunto(s)

Índice de Masa Corporal , Acoso Escolar , Víctimas de Crimen/psicología , Grupo Paritario , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Estudios Prospectivos

RESUMEN

This randomized study examined the effectiveness of a preschool stimulation program created to teach words that had been selected by considering the needs of the target population of children. Twenty-two educators and their group of at-risk preschoolers (N = 222, M age = 4.27 years) were assigned to one of two conditions: control or intervention. In the latter condition, educators had to read specifically developed storybooks to their group and conduct stimulation activities. Despite the training and support they received, educators implemented the intervention with varying degrees of fidelity. Nonetheless, intent-to-treat comparison of the two conditions indicates that children in the intervention condition learned the meaning of a much greater number of words than their peers in the control condition. In addition, efficacy subset analyses that took into account fidelity of implementation show that the greatest gains were made by children who had an educator who had implemented the intervention reliably. Strategies for scaling up the intervention and optimizing its implementation are discussed.

Asunto(s)

Conducta Infantil/psicología , Desarrollo Infantil , Lenguaje Infantil , Niños con Discapacidad/educación , Educación Especial/métodos , Vocabulario , Creación de Capacidad , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud , Factores de Riesgo , Análisis y Desempeño de Tareas

RESUMEN

This study investigates prospectively the development of single and repeated unintentional injuries from birth to 42 months in a random population sample of new-born children in Quebec (Canada) (N = 1,770). The outcome measures are single unintentional injuries (SUI) and repeated unintentional injuries (RUI). Results showed that the risk factors for SUI differed from the risk factors for RUI. SUI was predicted by mother's antisocial behavior during high school (OR = 1.72) and mother's age at first birth (OR = 1.82) with children from older mothers at higher likelihood of SUI. Also, boys (OR = 1.36) and hyperactive children (OR = 1.06) were at increased risk of SUI. RUI was predicted by maternal smoking during pregnancy (OR = 1.68), medication on prescription (OR = 1.53) and medication without prescription (OR = 1.54). Boys (OR = 2.01), children with a difficult temperament (OR = 1.13) and those with single mothers had higher rates of RUI (OR = 2.05). Maternal perception of impact (OR = 1.15) and maternal feelings of self-efficacy (OR = 0.87; marginally significant) were also associated with RUI. These results show that maternal and child risk factors identified during pregnancy and just after birth can predict SUI as well as RUI in early childhood. However, the only common risk factor for SUI and RUI is the child's sex, with boys being at higher risk than girls. Implications of these findings and suggestions for prevention are discussed.

Asunto(s)

Medicamentos sin Prescripción/efectos adversos , Efectos Tardíos de la Exposición Prenatal/epidemiología , Efectos Tardíos de la Exposición Prenatal/etiología , Medicamentos bajo Prescripción/efectos adversos , Fumar/efectos adversos , Heridas y Lesiones/epidemiología , Heridas y Lesiones/etiología , Trastorno de Personalidad Antisocial/complicaciones , Trastorno de Personalidad Antisocial/epidemiología , Preescolar , Escolaridad , Femenino , Humanos , Hipercinesia/epidemiología , Hipercinesia/etiología , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Estudios Longitudinales , Masculino , Edad Materna , Medicamentos sin Prescripción/administración & dosificación , Embarazo , Medicamentos bajo Prescripción/administración & dosificación , Quebec , Recurrencia , Factores de Riesgo , Autoeficacia , Factores Sexuales , Padres Solteros/psicología , Padres Solteros/estadística & datos numéricos , Estadística como Asunto , Temperamento

RESUMEN

The associations between trajectories of child care quality from ages 2 to 4 years and children's cognitive performance at 4 years (n = 250) were tested. Distinct quality trajectories were identified: low and high ascending Teaching and Interactions trajectory; low and high Provision for Learning trajectory. Membership in the high ascending Teaching and Interactions trajectory was associated with better numeracy (effect size [ES] = .39, confidence interval [CI] = .21-.66), receptive vocabulary (ES = .41, CI = .14-.68), and school readiness (ES = .32, CI = .06-.58). The results suggest that a pattern of increasing quality of teacher-child interactions during the preschool years, particularly with regard to supporting the development of language, has a moderate impact on children's cognitive development.

Asunto(s)

Cuidado del Niño/normas , Desarrollo Infantil/fisiología , Cognición/fisiología , Aprendizaje/fisiología , Enseñanza/normas , Protección a la Infancia , Preescolar , Escolaridad , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Relaciones Interpersonales , Masculino , Medio Social , Factores de Tiempo

RESUMEN

We know relatively little about the development of disruptive behaviors (DBs), and gender differences therein. The objective of this study was to describe the continuity and discontinuity in the degree to which young children in the general population are reported to exhibit specific DBs over time. Data came from the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. First, the results show that relatively few children exhibit DBs on a frequent basis at 41 months of age. Second, the results show that a majority of children who exhibit a particular DB on a frequent basis at 41 months of age did not do so 1 year earlier. In addition, a majority of children who exhibited a particular DB on a frequent basis at 29 months of age no longer do so 1 year later. Third, gender differences in DBs (boys > girls) are either emerging or at least increasing in magnitude between 29 and 41 months of age. Consistent with the canalization of the behavioral development principle, children who exhibited DBs on a frequent basis at 29 months of age are less likely to stop doing so in the following year if they had exhibited the same behaviors at 17 months of age.

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: Younger people are engaging in gambling, with some showing excessive involvement. Although a consequence of gambling could be anxiety and depression, emotional distress could be a precursor to gambling involvement. This could reflect developmental proneness toward problem behaviour. We assessed whether early emotional distress directly influences later gambling or if it operates through an indirect pathway. METHODS: Using a prospective longitudinal design, an intentional subsample of children from the 1999 kindergarten cohort of the Montreal Longitudinal Preschool Study (Quebec) from intact families were retraced in 2005 for follow-up in Grade 6. Consenting parents and children were separately interviewed. Key child variables and sources included kindergarten teacher ratings of emotional distress and impulsivity and self-reported parent and child gambling. RESULTS: Higher levels of teacher-rated emotional distress in kindergarten significantly predicted a higher propensity toward later gambling behaviour. Impulsivity, a factor often comorbidly present with emotional distress, completely explained this predictive relation above and beyond potential child- and family-related confounds, including parental gambling. CONCLUSIONS: Children with higher levels of emotional distress at kindergarten were more inclined toward child gambling behaviour in Grade 6. The influence of early emotional distress completely vanished when behaviours reflecting impulsivity were considered when predicting later child gambling behaviour. The relation between emotional distress and child gambling involvement in children was thus explained by its comorbidity with early impulsivity. This study does not rule out the possibility that emotional distress could become a correlate or consequence of excessive involvement in gambling activities at a later developmental period.

Asunto(s)

Síntomas Afectivos/epidemiología , Juego de Azar/epidemiología , Acontecimientos que Cambian la Vida , Síntomas Afectivos/diagnóstico , Síntomas Afectivos/genética , Síntomas Afectivos/psicología , Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/diagnóstico , Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/epidemiología , Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/genética , Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/psicología , Niño , Trastornos de la Conducta Infantil/diagnóstico , Trastornos de la Conducta Infantil/epidemiología , Trastornos de la Conducta Infantil/genética , Trastornos de la Conducta Infantil/psicología , Preescolar , Estudios de Cohortes , Comorbilidad , Trastornos Disruptivos, del Control de Impulso y de la Conducta/diagnóstico , Trastornos Disruptivos, del Control de Impulso y de la Conducta/epidemiología , Trastornos Disruptivos, del Control de Impulso y de la Conducta/genética , Trastornos Disruptivos, del Control de Impulso y de la Conducta/psicología , Diagnóstico Precoz , Femenino , Juego de Azar/diagnóstico , Juego de Azar/genética , Juego de Azar/psicología , Humanos , Delincuencia Juvenil/psicología , Delincuencia Juvenil/estadística & datos numéricos , Estudios Longitudinales , Masculino , Estudios Prospectivos , Quebec , Factores de Riesgo , Asunción de Riesgos , Factores Socioeconómicos , Abandono Escolar/psicología , Abandono Escolar/estadística & datos numéricos

RESUMEN

Using data from three waves of a large Canadian data set, this research examined the relationship between middle-childhood trajectories of family dysfunction and indirect aggression. The authors applied family systems, developmental psychopathology, and life-course conceptualizations to meet this objective. The data analytic strategy used separate multivariate logits to examine this relationship, with and without the extent to which other possible explanations (acting as control variables) predict belonging to the highest family dysfunction trajectory. These included marital transition, socioeconomic status, family size, and depressive symptoms experienced by the adult most knowledgeable about the child (mostly mothers). The authors also explored possible interactions between indirect aggression and these explanatory variables. Supporting their hypothesis for both boys and girls, prolonged-duration high doses of family dysfunction were associated with the most extreme developmental trajectories of indirect aggression during middle childhood. Results showed gender specificity with respect to the influence of the explanatory variables on family dysfunction. For girls, the link between family dysfunction and indirect aggression persisted above and beyond such contextual influences. For boys, the relationship became unimportant once contextual factors were taken into account.

Asunto(s)

Agresión/psicología , Conducta Infantil , Relaciones Familiares , Canadá , Niño , Preescolar , Estudios de Cohortes , Depresión , Divorcio , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Relaciones Madre-Hijo , Factores Sexuales , Clase Social

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between early impulsive behavior, rated by kindergarten teachers, and self-reported gambling in sixth grade. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study. SETTING: The 1999 kindergarten cohort of the Montreal Longitudinal Preschool Study in Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Written parental consent was obtained for 181 of the 377 children from intact families at kindergarten exclusively selected for follow-up telephone interviews in the fall of sixth grade, 6 years after the initial assessments. Of these, 163 children had complete data in kindergarten (mean age, 5.5 years) and sixth grade (mean age, 11.5 years) for the key variables in the analyses. Main Outcome Measure Self-reported gambling behavior in sixth grade. RESULTS: A 1-unit increase in kindergarten impulsivity corresponded to a 25% increase in later self-reported child involvement in gambling (SE = .02). This was above and beyond potential child- and family-related confounds, including parental gambling. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings offer insight about how the nature and course of early impulsivity might relate to a significantly higher propensity toward involvement in games of chance in later childhood. It is suggested that developmentally continuous risks associated with early impulsivity place individuals on a risk trajectory toward excessive gambling involvement in adolescence and emerging adulthood.

Asunto(s)

Juego de Azar/psicología , Conducta Impulsiva/psicología , Niño , Desarrollo Infantil , Preescolar , Estudios de Cohortes , Salud de la Familia , Femenino , Humanos , Conducta Impulsiva/epidemiología , Masculino , Medición de Riesgo , Factores Socioeconómicos

RESUMEN

Using data from three waves of a large Canadian data set, we examine the relationship between two middle childhood trajectory variables, family dysfunction and anxiety. We draw upon family systems theory and developmental psychopathology, while attempting to expand their boundaries by capitalizing on the strengths within both approaches. Our data treatment strategy, guided by the life course analytical framework, included separate multivariate logits to examine this relationship, with and without the extent to, which selected explanatory risk variables predicted belonging to the highest family dysfunction trajectory. We also explored possible interactions between anxiety and explanatory risk variables. Supporting our hypothesis, a prolonged duration of high doses of family dysfunction was associated with the most extreme developmental trajectories of anxious behavior during middle childhood for both boys and girls. This relationship prevailed above and beyond the influence of other correlates of family dysfunction such as marital transition, socioeconomic status, family size, and depressive symptoms experienced by the informant (mostly mothers).

Asunto(s)

Ansiedad/psicología , Relaciones Familiares , Control Interno-Externo , Acontecimientos que Cambian la Vida , Relaciones Padres-Hijo , Ansiedad/diagnóstico , Ansiedad/epidemiología , Niño , Estudios de Cohortes , Estudios Transversales , Depresión/diagnóstico , Depresión/epidemiología , Depresión/psicología , Composición Familiar , Femenino , Humanos , Estudios Longitudinales , Masculino , Factores de Riesgo , Factores Sexuales , Factores Socioeconómicos , Estadística como Asunto

RESUMEN

CONTEXT: Physical violence is an important health problem, and low maternal education is a significant risk for the development of chronic physical aggression (PA). We hypothesized that nonmaternal care (NMC) services could prevent the development of childhood PA problems, depending on the age at which the services are initiated. Method Children who followed a trajectory of atypically frequent PA between 17 and 60 months of age among a population sample of 1691 Canadian families were identified. Maternal education and NMC were considered in predicting group membership while controlling for confounding family characteristics. RESULTS: Children of mothers with low education levels (ie, no high school diploma) were less likely to receive NMC. Those who did receive such care had significantly lower risk of a high PA trajectory. Results from logistic regressions indicated that NMC reduced the risk of high PA, especially when initiated before age 9 months (odds ratio, 0.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.90). Children of mothers who graduated from high school were less at risk of PA problems, and NMC had no additional protective effect. CONCLUSIONS: Nonmaternal care services to children of mothers with low levels of education could substantially reduce their risk of chronic PA, especially if provided soon after birth. Because children most likely to benefit from NMC services are less likely to receive them, special measures encouraging the use of NMC services among high-risk families are needed.

Asunto(s)

Agresión , Cuidado del Niño/estadística & datos numéricos , Escolaridad , Relaciones Madre-Hijo , Adulto , Trastornos de la Conducta Infantil/epidemiología , Preescolar , Femenino , Humanos , Lactante , Estudios Longitudinales , Masculino , Oportunidad Relativa , Factores de Riesgo

RESUMEN

Research in developmental psychopathology has long been preoccupied with rather broad categories of behavior, but we know little about the specific behaviors that comprise these categories. The objective of this study was to: (a) estimate the prevalence of problem and social competence behaviors in the general population of children at 17 months of age, and (b) describe the continuity and discontinuity in the degree to which children exhibit these behaviors between 17 and 29 months of age. The results show that frequent problem behaviors are not typical of children under two years of age. Further, the results suggest that it is possible to distinguish between different types of problem behaviors before two years of age. In addition, the results show that gender differences in some problem behaviors are already present before two years of age, and increase in magnitude during toddlerhood. Finally, the results show that interindividual differences in problem behaviors observed before two years of age are stable. The predictive accuracy of frequent problem behaviors in children at 17 months of age was limited, however, with often a majority of toddlers not behaving this way a year later. Overall, our results suggest that toddlerhood represents a critical period when behavioral and emotional problems of potentially clinical significance emerge. Pediatricians should routinely ask parents to report the frequency of their young children's problem behaviors during child health supervision visits so that children whose frequent problem behaviors persist over time can be identified and possibly referred for treatment.