Long term developmental impact of social withdrawal in infants.

The aim of this study was to follow-up infants who were assessed in early infancy, at approximately 6 months of age, to determine the developmental impact of social withdrawal at approximately 30 months of age. Infants were administered the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-Third Edition, and the mothers complete the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC), Second Edition-Parent Rating Scale-Preschool form. Significant negative correlations were found between infant social withdrawal and Cognitive and Language scales of the Bayley Scales, and the Social and Communication scales of the BASC. Significant positive correlations were found between the infant social withdrawal and later higher scores on Atypicality and Attention scales. These results provide support for the use of the Alarm Distress Baby Scale as a measure of infant social withdrawal, and its association with later development and behavior.