Child temperament: Relationship with child behavior problems and parent‐child interactions

Abstract

It was the purpose of this study to structure a laboratory interaction in order to clarify the relationship between mother reports of child temperament and independent observations of mother‐child interactions. Thirty‐five 3–4 year old, middle‐class children were videotaped while playing with their mothers in a laboratory setting. Subsequently, mother and child behavioral interactions were analyzed by independent observers according to the Interpersonal Behavior Construct Scale. Mothers also were asked to complete the Colorado Childhood Temperament Inventory and the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory. Correlations between the temperament of the child, child behavior problems and the behaviors of each mother‐child dyad interacting together indicated that child temperament was significantly related to behavior problems and quality of mother‐child interactions. Children who were perceived by their mothers as more active with a low attention span, tended to have more behavior problems and to be independently described by observers as more nonaccepting or noncompliant in their interactions with their mothers. Mothers of active children, in turn, were described as more negative and non‐accepting in their responses to their children. Mothers of behavior problem children tended to be highly submissive in their observed responses. This study provides evidence as to the validity of parent report measures to accurately predict observable child behaviors. The implications of these results for the clinician are discussed.