Emotional reactivity and regulation in infancy interact to predict executive functioning in early childhood.

• DOI: 10.1037/a0027728
• Publication Date: 2012-05-08T02:03:31Z
• Authors: Alexandra Ursache; ; Clancy Blair; Cynthia Stifter; Kristin Voegtline
• Keywords: Reactivity; Child Development; Longitudinal Study

The relation of observed emotional reactivity and regulation in infancy to executive function early childhood was examined a prospective longitudinal sample 1,292 children from predominantly low-income rural communities. Children participated fear eliciting task at ages 7, 15, 24 months completed an battery age 48 months. Results indicated that the child negative 15 functioning dependent on emotion regulation. High levels ability were among who exhibited high this reactivity. In contrast, low but Among exhibiting reactivity, unrelated functioning. Moreover, emotionally reactive infants more likely have primary caregivers positive parenting behavior parent-child interaction task. provide support for neurobiologically informed developmental model which arousal is one mechanism whereby supportive environments are associated with higher self-regulation highly infants. Findings discussed implications differential susceptibility biological sensitivity theories by context interaction.