Interaction and Nonlinear Effects of Temperament Reactivity and Regulation on Adjustment Problems in Preadolescence

Abstract

Dimensions of child temperament related to reactivity and self-regulation are often studied in relation to child adjustment. Yet despite theory on interactive and nonlinear effects of dimensions of temperament, few studies have tested these. We examined quadratic and interactive effects of child temperament on adjustment. Interactive and nonlinear effects of temperament (fear, frustration, and executive control) on emotional and behavioral problems (anxiety, depression, and conduct problems) were investigated in a sample of 214 children aged 9-13. Using behavioral measures of temperament, we predicted concurrent problems, as well as problems one year later in hierarchical regression analyses. Executive control was consistently related to fewer problems. We observed a quadratic effect of executive control on depression, and an interaction between frustration and executive control predicting conduct problems. Low levels of executive control were associated with heightened risk for concurrent depression, whereas moderate to high levels of executive control were associated with similarly low levels of depression. Higher executive control was associated with fewer conduct problems for those moderate to high in frustration, and unassociated with conduct problems for those low in frustration. Examination of interactive and nonlinear effects of dimensions of temperament can clarify understanding of risk for child adjustment problems.