The Role of Inhibitory Control in Shy Toddlers' Adjustment
Poster Number
18C
Format
Poster Presentation
Faculty Mentor Name
Jessica Grady
Faculty Mentor Department
Psychology
Abstract/Artist Statement
This study examined the relationship between inhibitory control and adjustment in shy 2-year-olds. Inhibitory control refers to the ability to inhibit a behavioral response. Participants included 48 families with 21-24-month-old toddlers (Mage = 22.9 months, SD = .70; 17 males). The study was primarily interested in testing shy children. Parents of toddlers identified using birth records were mailed a recruitment letter. Parents interested in participating were screened for child shyness using the social fear subscale of the Toddler Behavior Assessment Questionnaire (TBAQ) (Goldsmith, 1996). Children identified as shy (i.e., scored 1 SD or higher from TBAQ) participated in an hour-long study visit. Inhibitory control was measured during a snack delay task. Children’s latency to reach for the snack, anticipatory behavior, and overall inhibitory control were scored for each of four trials with varying wait times. Scores were standardized and combined into a single composite score for each trial, and then averaged across trials to form an overall inhibitory control score. Adjustment was measured using the Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Adjustment Scale (ITSEA; Carter, Briggs-Gowan, Jones, & Little, 2003), from which internalizing and competence subscale scores were computed (α = .83 and .79, respectively). Children’s behaviors indicating fear (fearful facial expressions, body fear, freezing, contact seeking to parent, proximity to parent, and overall shyness) and engagement (approach, proximity to, and overall boldness) were also scored, standardized, and combined to form single scores for fear and boldness, respectively. Coders demonstrated appropriate reliability (IOA = .70 or better). Preliminary analyses indicated that inhibitory control was associated with fewer internalizing behaviors, but was unrelated to competence, fear, or engagement. Additional research is needed to further evaluate inhibitory control as a possible protective factor for shy children.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Start Date
28-4-2018 10:00 AM
End Date
28-4-2018 12:00 PM
The Role of Inhibitory Control in Shy Toddlers' Adjustment
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
This study examined the relationship between inhibitory control and adjustment in shy 2-year-olds. Inhibitory control refers to the ability to inhibit a behavioral response. Participants included 48 families with 21-24-month-old toddlers (Mage = 22.9 months, SD = .70; 17 males). The study was primarily interested in testing shy children. Parents of toddlers identified using birth records were mailed a recruitment letter. Parents interested in participating were screened for child shyness using the social fear subscale of the Toddler Behavior Assessment Questionnaire (TBAQ) (Goldsmith, 1996). Children identified as shy (i.e., scored 1 SD or higher from TBAQ) participated in an hour-long study visit. Inhibitory control was measured during a snack delay task. Children’s latency to reach for the snack, anticipatory behavior, and overall inhibitory control were scored for each of four trials with varying wait times. Scores were standardized and combined into a single composite score for each trial, and then averaged across trials to form an overall inhibitory control score. Adjustment was measured using the Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Adjustment Scale (ITSEA; Carter, Briggs-Gowan, Jones, & Little, 2003), from which internalizing and competence subscale scores were computed (α = .83 and .79, respectively). Children’s behaviors indicating fear (fearful facial expressions, body fear, freezing, contact seeking to parent, proximity to parent, and overall shyness) and engagement (approach, proximity to, and overall boldness) were also scored, standardized, and combined to form single scores for fear and boldness, respectively. Coders demonstrated appropriate reliability (IOA = .70 or better). Preliminary analyses indicated that inhibitory control was associated with fewer internalizing behaviors, but was unrelated to competence, fear, or engagement. Additional research is needed to further evaluate inhibitory control as a possible protective factor for shy children.