BACKGROUND: To investigate links between inhibitory control (IC) and behavior problems in early childhood, as well as genetic and environmental covariances between these two constructs. METHODS: Parent and laboratory ratings of IC and parent ratings of externalizing and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder behaviors were administered at 24 months of age on a sample of 291 same-sex twin pairs (131 monozygotic, 160 dizygotic). RESULTS: There were significant phenotypic associations between both IC assessments and the two areas of behavioral maladjustment (correlations ranged from -.13 to -.57). Multivariate analyses revealed that phenotypic covariance between IC and behavior problems could be substantially explained by common genetic influences (genetic correlations ranged from -.30 to -.74). Parent ratings of IC showed higher phenotypic and genetic correlations with behavior problems than lab ratings of IC. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to examine the etiology of the covariance between IC and related behavioral difficulties in toddlerhood. Findings suggest that low levels of IC can be considered a genetic risk factor for the development of early emerging behavior problems.
BACKGROUND: To investigate links between inhibitory control (IC) and behavior problems in early childhood, as well as genetic and environmental covariances between these two constructs. METHODS: Parent and laboratory ratings of IC and parent ratings of externalizing and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder behaviors were administered at 24 months of age on a sample of 291 same-sex twin pairs (131 monozygotic, 160 dizygotic). RESULTS: There were significant phenotypic associations between both IC assessments and the two areas of behavioral maladjustment (correlations ranged from -.13 to -.57). Multivariate analyses revealed that phenotypic covariance between IC and behavior problems could be substantially explained by common genetic influences (genetic correlations ranged from -.30 to -.74). Parent ratings of IC showed higher phenotypic and genetic correlations with behavior problems than lab ratings of IC. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to examine the etiology of the covariance between IC and related behavioral difficulties in toddlerhood. Findings suggest that low levels of IC can be considered a genetic risk factor for the development of early emerging behavior problems.
Authors: N Eisenberg; A Cumberland; T L Spinrad; R A Fabes; S A Shepard; M Reiser; B C Murphy; S H Losoya; I K Guthrie Journal: Child Dev Date: 2001 Jul-Aug
Authors: Shannon T Lipscomb; Heidemarie Laurent; Jenae M Neiderhiser; Daniel S Shaw; Misaki N Natsuaki; David Reiss; Leslie D Leve Journal: Int J Behav Dev Date: 2014-01-01