Predicting toddler temperamental approach-withdrawal: Contributions of early approach tendencies, parenting behavior, and contextual novelty

Mairin E. Augustine, Kameron J. Moding, Cynthia A. Stifter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Research suggests that temperamental approach-withdrawal is subject to parenting influences, but few studies have explored how specific parenting behaviors and contextual novelty contribute to the observed pattern of effects. The present study examined associations between infant temperamental approach, mother behavior while introducing novel objects (12 months) and temperamental approach-withdrawal in toddlerhood (18 months) in a sample of 132 infants (68 males). Maternal positive affect predicted more toddler approach-withdrawal for high-approach infants and maternal stimulation predicted less toddler approach-withdrawal for low-approach infants; however, these patterns varied with intensity of novelty in both parenting and toddler outcome contexts. Thus, maternal behavior may lead to stronger associations between earlier and later measures of approach-withdrawal; however, these effects are tied to contexts of measurement.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)97-105
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Research in Personality
Volume67
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Social Psychology
  • General Psychology

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