The BDNFval66met polymorphism and individual differences in temperament in 4-month-old infants: A pilot study

Individual differences in infants’ temperament are under genetic control. We investigated the association between brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor (BDNF_val66met) polymorphism and temperament in 63 full-term infants. Met-carriers (N = 25) had lower Regulatory capacities compared to val-homozygotes (N = 38). These findings suggest that the BDNF polymorphism affects early temperament individual differences.     

Bidirectional pathways between relational aggression and temperament from late childhood to adolescence

Relational aggression is linked to numerous adverse consequences. However, we know little about how temperament leads individuals to become perpetrators/victims of relational aggression, or how being a perpetrator/victim influences the development of temperament. We used longitudinal data from 674 Mexican-origin youth to examine relations between relational aggression and mother- and child-reported temperament from 5th grade (M_age = 10.8; SD = 0.60) through 11th grade (M_age = 16.8; SD = 0.50). Results show that: (a) high Negative Emotionality and low Effortful Control predicted increases in victimization; (b) low Effortful Control predicted increases in perpetration; (c) victims increased in Negative Emotionality and decreased in Effortful Control; and (d) perpetrators increased in Negative Emotionality and Surgency. Thus, temperament serves as both an antecedent to and a consequence of relational aggression.     

Maternal prenatal psychological distress and temperament in 1–4 month old infants – A study in a non-western population

In this longitudinal study, conducted in women attending antenatal visits at the obstetrics and gynecology clinic of a general hospital in Bangalore, India, we aimed to assess the relationship between prenatal distress in mothers, and maternal report of infant temperament at four months. 100 mothers with normal full term deliveries completed the General Health Questionnaire-28 item version (GHQ) in the third trimester and postnatally. Salivary cortisol and temperament (using the Early Infancy Temperament Questionnaire – EITQ) were assessed in their infants aged 1–4 months. In this study, maternal prenatal psychological distress was not significantly associated with maternal report of difficult temperament in infants. Infants of mothers who were a negative screen for psychological distress (GHQ < 7), n = 85 had higher scores on the adaptability and approach dimensions of temperament. Infant salivary cortisol was significantly higher in infants with higher intensity scores. These results introduce the possibility of cultural differences in the relationship between prenatal distress in the mother and infant temperament. These could be factors linked to child rearing practices or to the measures employed to study infant temperament. These findings derive from a small sample with few mothers with psychological distress, and need replication in a larger sample.     

Stress-sensitivity and reciprocal associations between stressful events and adolescent temperament

This study aimed to elucidate the longitudinal, bidirectional associations between stressful life events (SLEs) and adolescent temperament. Subsequently, the study investigated whether the effects of SLEs on future temperament were moderated by (a) a cumulative sensitivity gene index (b) the 5-HTTLPR (the polymorphism most consistently indicated as a sensitivity genotype) and (c) pre/perinatal risk. Data were used from TRAILS, a large population cohort of Dutch adolescents (n = 1475). Temperament was assessed at 11, 16 and 19 years. Data of SLEs that occurred between age 0–11, 11–16, and 16–19 were captured using interviews. The results indicated that SLEs and temperament traits are associated from childhood to adolescence and that the direction of the effects differed between temperament traits. Whereas SLEs were found to predict subsequent fear, SLEs were predicted by, but not predictive of, shyness and affiliation. For effortful control and frustration a fully reciprocal model was found. The cumulative sensitivity gene index, 5-HTTLPR and the pre/perinatal risk did not moderate the effects of SLEs on future temperament.     

Comparison of fetal and maternal heart rate measures using electrocardiographic and cardiotocographic methods

PurposeTo determine the reliability at term of: (1) two methods of measuring fetal heart rate (HR), electrocardiographic (ECG, the ‘gold standard’) and cardiotocographic (CTG) and (2) two ECG methods of measuring maternal HR variability over relatively brief periods of time (s–min).MethodsDuring 20 min of rest (N = 39) and during 2 min of auditory stimulation (mother's recorded voice, n = 19), fetal HR data were collected using an ECG (Monica AN24) and a Hewlett-Packard Model 1351A CTG. Simultaneously, maternal HR data (n = 37) were collected using the same ECG device (Monica AN24) and a second stand-alone cardiac monitor (Spacelab 514T cardiac monitor with a QRS detector).ResultsDuring 20 min of maternal rest, correlations of individual fetal CTG with ECG measures of HR at each second were moderate to high (r = .57–.97) for 77% of fetuses. Correlations of HR averaged over fetuses and over each of the 20 min were high (r = .93–.97); fetal HR averaged over 20 min varied between devices from 0.0 to 0.8 bpm. During 2 min of maternal voice presentation, correlations of fetal HR over each second were moderate to high (r = .54–.99) for 95% of fetuses and high (all rs = .99) when averaged across fetuses in 30 s or 2 min epochs. Average fetal HR between devices over the 2 min voice varied from 0.0 to 0.6 bpm. Correlations and/or % agreement between the two ECG methods of measuring maternal HR were high. Average maternal HR over 10 min showed 81% of pairs with a difference of ≤1 bpm; correlations for HR variability measures varied from r = .89 to .97.ConclusionsGood reliability was demonstrated between individual spontaneous and auditory induced fetal CTG and ECG with high correlations when HR data were averaged over fetuses or in 30–120 s epochs. High reliability of maternal HR measures was obtained using two ECG devices.     

Teacher-student relationship quality and academic achievement in elementary school: A longitudinal examination of gender differences

Multiple group longitudinal cross-lagged panel models were implemented to understand the directional influences between teacher-student closeness and conflict and measured math and reading achievement across elementary grades and gender groups using the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development longitudinal sample (N = 1133). Specifically, after testing multiple group longitudinal measurement invariance to ensure consistent measurement across genders and time, and tests of equivalence of the latent parameters, we were interested in whether longitudinal changes in teacher-rated closeness and conflict explained longitudinal changes in achievement, and vice versa, and whether those longitudinal influences varied by gender. Latent teacher-student closeness decreased for both genders over time (Cohen's d = − 0.15 to − 0.32), but latent conflict increased for males (Cohen's d = 0.16). There was also increased heterogeneity in teacher-student relationship quality for males relative to females. Math and reading achievement had medium reciprocal effects (β = 0.12 to 0.23), and previous math achievement had small to medium effects on subsequent teacher-student closeness (β = 0.08 to 0.11) and conflict (β = − 0.07 to − 0.09). Teacher-student conflict and closeness did not influence subsequent levels of math or reading achievement once previous levels were controlled. Further, these influences were consistent across gender groups despite latent differences in teacher-student closeness and conflict with teachers reporting closer relationships with female students and more conflictual relationships with male students.     

Identifying child temperament types using cluster analysis in three samples

Although previous research has explored the existence of temperament clusters in children, these studies have used single samples, reducing generalizability, and broad temperament constructs to identify clusters, obscuring fine-grained dimensional differences. To address these limitations, the current study identified a common cluster structure across two diverse samples of preschool children using the same fine-grained temperament measure (ns = 96, 187), then verified the cluster structure on a large, nationally-representative sample (n = 757). A consistent six-cluster solution was identified across the three samples: Unregulated, Regulated, High Reactive, Bold, Average, and Well-Adjusted. Demonstration of a replicable typology advances the understanding of temperament in childhood, and provides a parsimonious way to communicate complex information about a child’s temperament to parents and caregivers.     

Effects of preterm birth and gender on temperament and behavior in children

The aim of the present study was to assess the direct and interactive effects of premature birth and gender on temperament and behavioral problems in 80 children aged 18–36 months. The sample was composed of children born preterm (PT; n = 44) and children born full-term (FT; n = 36). The children's mothers completed temperament (ECBQ) and behavioral problem (CBCL 1.5–5) assessments. Analyses of variance (ANOVA 2 × 2) were performed. With regard to temperament, PT children exhibited significantly higher scores on high-intensity pleasure and perceptual sensitivity and lower scores on discomfort, cuddliness, and Attentional Focusing compared with FT children. Girls scored higher on fear and discomfort compared with boys. With concern to behavioral problems, PT children scored higher on attention problems compared with FT children. No interactive effect of premature birth and gender on temperament or behavioral problems was found.     

Negative affectivity and EEG asymmetry interact to predict emotional interference on attention in early school-aged children

Negative affectivity (NA) is a broad construct that has been associated with the development of psychopathologies, such as anxiety, and with exaggerated attention to threatening stimuli. EEG asymmetry reflects biological individual differences in emotional reactivity that may underlie the association between NA and attention to threat. The present study included a sample of 31 five-seven year olds (M age in months = 74.39, SD = 6.57) to test the hypothesis that greater NA, combined with greater right anterior and posterior asymmetries, predicts increased attention interference following threat stimuli. Children completed an executive attention task which presented task-irrelevant threat (angry) and non-threat (neutral) faces prior to each trial. EEG asymmetry was measured at baseline for anterior, anterior-temporal and posterior scalp regions and child NA was measured via maternal report. As predicted, children showing greater NA and greater right anterior-temporal asymmetry showed more attention interference following angry faces. Additionally, two trend-level effects emerged: children showing greater NA and greater left anterior-temporal asymmetry showed less attention interference following angry faces, and children showing greater NA and greater left posterior asymmetry showed less attention interference, but only following neutral faces. Discussion focuses on the utility of using EEG asymmetry in the study of temperament, attentional biases, and the biological processes by which temperament confers risk for psychopathology.     

Stability and change in work values: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies

A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies was conducted to investigate stability and change in work values across the life span. Both rank-order stability and mean-level change were investigated using an integrative classification for intrinsic, extrinsic, social and status work values (Ross, Schwartz, & Surkis, 1999). Results of rank-order stability indicated that work values were stable individual differences (ρ = .62). The stability level was lowest during college years (18–22 years old) and highest after entering the workforce (22 years old and later). Work values were more stable than personality traits across all age categories, whereas not as stable as vocational interests during college years and adulthood. Baby Boomers were found to possess a higher level of rank-order stability as compared to Generation X. Mean-level results showed that during college years (18–22 years old), the population as a whole attached more importance to intrinsic values while deemphasizing all the remaining values; during the initial entry of the workforce (22–26 years old), only extrinsic values showed an increase in importance while all the other values decreased; later on after adulthood years (26 years and after), besides the continuous increase of extrinsic values, there was also a dramatic increase in status values. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.     

A meta-analysis of correlations between depression and first person singular pronoun use

Depression is a burden. We discuss how theories, identification, assessment, and treatment of depression are at least partially tied to the correlation between first person singular pronoun use and individual differences in depression. We conducted a meta-analysis (k = 21, N = 3758) of these correlations, including numerous unpublished correlations from the file drawer. Our fixed effects analysis revealed a small correlation (r = 0.13, 95% CI = [0.10–0.16]) by modern standards. The correlation was not moderated by gender, nor by whether the effect had been published. These results more firmly establish first person singular pronoun use as a linguistic marker of depression—a marker that appears to be useful across demographic lines.     

Analyse de la structure factorielle du questionnaire de tempérament EAS (version parents) auprès de deux échantillons d’enfants âgés de deux à cinq ans et de six à neuf ans

IntroductionThe EAS temperament survey (Buss & Plomin, 1984) allows the measurement of four heritable and relatively stable dimensions of temperament, that is, Activity, Emotionality, Sociability and Shyness.ObjectiveA French translation of this tool has been validated with children aged from 6 to 12 years (Gasman et al., 2002), our goal is to extend the validation process to a group of younger children.MethodThe temperament of 350 children aged from 2 to 5 years and of 290 children aged from 6 and 9 years was assessed by the EAS and DOTS-R questionnaires (parental ratings).ResultsMulti-group confirmatory factor analysis allowed to confirm the measurement invariance and the structural invariance of the EAS (four-factor model) on both samples and showed that the scale scores are good approximations of the factor scores. Furthermore, there were no significant sex differences in temperament scores and we found that older children were on average less active and more emotional compared to younger ones. Finally, internal consistency and convergent validity of each scale were fairly satisfying.ConclusionThe EAS (parental ratings) can thus be used from the age of 2 years, facilitating the study of temperament development during childhood.     

Relational self-construal moderates the effect of social support on life satisfaction

While social support is associated with a host of important physical and psychological benefits, these effects are not always straightforward. Still, the moderating factors that might underlie individual differences in reactions to social support are not well-understood. In the current studies, we examined individual differences in relational self-construal in the typically positive relationship between social support and life satisfaction. In Study 1 (N = 79) relational self-construal moderated the relationship between social support and life satisfaction such that social support was especially beneficial for those with high relational self-construal. We replicated this effect in Study 2 (N = 284), and also found that social support was especially important for individuals with high relational self-construal in the context of high feelings of stress. These studies suggest that social support has differently gauged effects on life satisfaction depending on an individual’s relational self-construal.     

The relationship between allometry and preferred transition speed in human locomotion

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between preferred transition speed (PTS) and anthropometric characteristics, body composition and different human body proportions in males. In a sample of 59 male students, we collected anthropometric and body composition data and determined individual PTS using increment protocol. The relationships between PTS and other variables were determined using Pearson correlation, stepwise linear and hierarchical regression. Body ratios were formed as quotient of two variables whereby at least one significantly correlated to PTS. Circular and transversal (except bitrochanteric diameter) body dimensions did not correlate with PTS. Moderate correlations were found between longitudinal leg dimensions (foot, leg and thigh length) and PTS, while the highest correlation was found for lower leg length (r = .488, p < .01). Two parameters related to body composition showed weak correlation with PTS: body fat mass (r = −.250, p < .05) and amount of lean leg mass scaled to body weight (r = .309, p < .05). Segmental body proportions correlated more significantly with PTS, where thigh/lower leg length ratio showed the highest correlation (r = .521, p < .01). Prediction model with individual variables (lower leg and foot length) have explained just 31% of PTS variability, while model with body proportions showed almost 20% better prediction (R² = .504). These results suggests that longitudinal leg dimensions have moderate influence on PTS and that segmental body proportions significantly more explain PTS than single anthropometric variables.     

Behavioural markers for autism in infancy: Scores on the Autism Observational Scale for Infants in a prospective study of at-risk siblings

We investigated early behavioural markers of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using the Autism Observational Scale for Infants (AOSI) in a prospective familial high-risk (HR) sample of infant siblings (N = 54) and low-risk (LR) controls (N = 50). The AOSI was completed at 7 and 14 month infant visits and children were seen again at age 24 and 36 months. Diagnostic outcome of ASD (HR-ASD) versus no ASD (HR-No ASD) was determined for the HR sample at the latter timepoint. The HR group scored higher than the LR group at 7 months and marginally but non-significantly higher than the LR group at 14 months, although these differences did not remain when verbal and nonverbal developmental level were covaried. The HR-ASD outcome group had higher AOSI scores than the LR group at 14 months but not 7 months, even when developmental level was taken into account. The HR-No ASD outcome group had scores intermediate between the HR-ASD and LR groups. At both timepoints a few individual items were higher in the HR-ASD and HR-No ASD outcome groups compared to the LR group and these included both social (e.g. orienting to name) and non-social (e.g. visual tracking) behaviours. AOSI scores at 14 months but not at 7 months were moderately correlated with later scores on the autism diagnostic observation schedule (ADOS) suggesting continuity of autistic-like behavioural atypicality but only from the second and not first year of life. The scores of HR siblings who did not go on to have ASD were intermediate between the HR-ASD outcome and LR groups, consistent with the notion of a broader autism phenotype.     

Do you see my growth? Two longitudinal studies on personality development from childhood to young adulthood from multiple perspectives

Personality developmental studies typically rely on single reporter data, while multi-informant studies are rare. In two longitudinal studies, the present investigation examined inter-judge differences in the development of the Big Five personality traits from childhood to young adulthood. Study 1 investigated personality development as judged by the self and parents from age 12 to 17 to 29 (N = 186). Study 2 investigated personality development annually from age 12 to 18 as judged by the self, and both parents and siblings (N = 574). Results showed personality maturation from childhood to young adulthood with disruptions during adolescence. Only parent-reports indicated maturation in adolescents’ negative affectivity (decreases in N), while self-reports indicated maturation in self-regulatory traits (increases in A and C).     

Inbreeding depression and IQ in a study of 72 countries

In this ecological study, a robust negative correlation of r = ? .62 (P < .01) is reported between national IQs and consanguinity as measured by the log₁₀ transformed percentage of consanguineous marriages for 72 countries. This correlation is reduced in magnitude, when IQ is controlled for GDP per capita (r = ? .41, P < .01); education index (r = ? .40, P < .01); and democracy index (r = ? .42, P < .01). Multiple regression analysis revealed that in the absence of the democracy index; percentage consanguineous marriages, education index and GDP per capita all exhibited stable final standardized β coefficients, however consanguinity had the least impact (β = 0, P > .05) whereas GDP per capita had the highest (β = .35, P > .01). This result is interpreted in light of cultural feedback theory, whereby it is suggested that consanguinity could subtly influence IQ at larger scales as a result of small IQ handicaps bought about through inbreeding being amplified into much larger differences through their effect on factors that maximize IQ such as access to education and adequate nutrition. Finally, consideration is given to future potential research directions.     

Body image of children and adolescents with chronic illness: A meta-analytic comparison with healthy peers

This meta-analysis integrates results from 330 studies on differences between body image of children and adolescents with and without chronic physical illness. Young people with a chronic illness had a less positive body image than their healthy peers although the average size of differences was small (g = ?.30 standard deviation units). A comparison of diseases showed that young people with obesity (g = ?.79), cystic fibrosis (g = ?.50), scoliosis (g = ?.41), asthma (g = ?.37), growth hormone deficits (g = ?.35), spina bifida (g = ?.23), cancer (g = ?.20), and diabetes (g = ?.17) evaluated their body less positively than their healthy peers. Furthermore, levels of body dissatisfaction varied by age at onset of the disease, method for assessing body image, ethnicity, year of publication, and comparison group. Recommendations are stated for reducing effects of chronic illness on the body image of people with chronic illness.     

Prenatal meditation influences infant behaviors

Meditation is important in facilitating health. Pregnancy health has been shown to have significant consequences for infant behaviors. In view of limited studies on meditation and infant temperament, this study aims to explore the effects of prenatal meditation on these aspects. The conceptual framework was based on the postulation of positive relationships between prenatal meditation and infant health. A randomized control quantitative study was carried out at Obstetric Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Hong Kong. 64 pregnant Chinese women were recruited for intervention and 59 were for control. Outcome measures were cord blood cortisol, infant salivary cortisol, and Carey Infant Temperament Questionnaire. Cord blood cortisol level of babies was higher in the intervention group (p < 0.01) indicates positive health status of the newborns verifies that prenatal meditation can influence fetal health. Carey Infant Temperament Questionnaire showed that the infants of intervention group have better temperament (p < 0.05) at fifth month reflects the importance of prenatal meditation in relation to child health. Present study concludes the positive effects of prenatal meditation on infant behaviors and recommends that pregnancy care providers should provide prenatal meditation to pregnant women.