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Parental Perceptions of Aggressive Behavior in Preschoolers: Inhibitory Control Moderates the Association With Negative Emotionality
Author(s) -
Suurland Jill,
Heijden Kristiaan B.,
Huijbregts Stephan C. J.,
Smaling Hanneke J. A.,
Sonneville Leo M. J.,
Van Goozen Stephanie H. M.,
Swaab Hanna
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1467-8624
pISSN - 0009-3920
DOI - 10.1111/cdev.12455
Subject(s) - aggression , psychology , emotionality , developmental psychology , inhibitory control , association (psychology) , multilevel model , perception , self control , clinical psychology , cognition , neuroscience , machine learning , computer science , psychotherapist
Inhibitory control (IC) and negative emotionality (NE) are both linked to aggressive behavior, but their interplay has not yet been clarified. This study examines different NE × IC interaction models in relation to aggressive behavior in 855 preschoolers (aged 2–5 years) using parental questionnaires. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that NE and IC predict aggression both directly and interactively. The highest aggression levels were reported in children with high NE and low IC. Interestingly, the protective effect of IC for aggressive behavior increases with rising levels of NE. Analyses focusing on physical aggression revealed a significant NE × IC interaction in boys aged 4‐5 years only. These findings shed new light on potential compensatory mechanisms for aggressive behavior in developing children.