The measurement of child characteristics from infancy to toddlerhood: Temperament, developmental competence, self-concept, and social competence

Gail M. Houck

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    32 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Maternal report on four characteristics was obtained for 126 infants at 8,12, 24, and 36 months of age. Temperament was assessed using the Revised Infant and Toddler Temperament Scales; the Infant/Child Monitoring Questionnaires were used to screen developmental competence. The Self-Concept Questionnaire and the Adaptive Social Behavior Inventory were outcome measures at 12, 24, and 36 months. Temperament and developmental competence were found to be relatively stable but unrelated over time. The second year, 12-24 months, was a salient period of development in which the greatest increases in self-concept and social competence were observed. Correlation analyses revealed temperament difficulty was negatively related to social competence yet unrelated to self-concept; developmental competence was more strongly related to the developing self-concept than social competence. The strongest relationships between social competence and self-concept were obtained by earlier social competence in relation to subsequent self-concept.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)101-127
    Number of pages27
    JournalComprehensive Child and Adolescent Nursing
    Volume22
    Issue number2-3
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 1999

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Pediatrics

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