Defining the developmental parameters of temper loss in early childhood: implications for developmental psychopathology.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Temper modulation problems are both a hallmark of early childhood and a common mental health concern. Thus, characterizing specific behavioral manifestations of temper loss along a dimension from normative misbehaviors to clinically significant problems is an important step toward identifying clinical thresholds.

Methods

Parent-reported patterns of temper loss were delineated in a diverse community sample of preschoolers (n = 1,490). A developmentally sensitive questionnaire, the Multidimensional Assessment of Preschool Disruptive Behavior (MAP-DB), was used to assess temper loss in terms of tantrum features and anger regulation. Specific aims were: (a) document the normative distribution of temper loss in preschoolers from normative misbehaviors to clinically con

SUBMITTER: Wakschlag LS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3633202 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature