Attention regulates anger and fear to predict changes in adolescent risk-taking behaviors.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Regulation of negative affect is critical to healthy development in childhood and adolescence. We conducted a longitudinal study examining the moderating role of attention control in the effects of anger and fear on changes in risk-taking behaviors from early to middle adolescence.

Method

The sample involved participants from the Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (SECCYD), assessed at 9, 11, and 15 years of age. Composite scores for anger, fear, and attention control were computed using indicators from multiple informants, and risk-taking behaviors were assessed based on adolescents' self-reports.

Results

Latent difference score analysis indicated significant moderating effects of attention control showing that increased anger between 9 and 11

SUBMITTER: Kim-Spoon J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4385006 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature