Co-Changes and Mutual Influences of Fearful Temperament, Task Switching, and Maternal Intrusiveness in Early Childhood

Abstract

This study employed latent change score models to examine the co-changes and mutual influences of fearful temperament, task switching, and maternal intrusiveness in early childhood. Participants included 335 children (171 boys, 164 girls; M_age = 3.09 years at baseline; 77.3% White, 14.0% Black, 8.4% multiracial, 0.3% Asian, 7.8% Hispanic) and their mothers. Higher levels of maternal intrusiveness at 36 months predicted a smaller increase in children's task switching between 36 and 48 months. Higher levels of task switching at 36 months predicted a larger decrease in fearful temperament. The changes between task switching and fearful temperament co-occurred; as the degree of task switching increased, fearful temperament decreased, or vice versa. Family-oriented interventions that reduce maternal intrusiveness may facilitate children's improvements in task switching, which is closely associated with the development of a fearful temperament.

Keywords: early childhood; fearful temperament; maternal intrusiveness; task switching.