The effects of effortful control and distress in tolerance in predicting externalizing problems

The aim of present study was to determinate the effects of effortful control and distress intolerance in predicting externalizing problems of elementary school students. This research was descriptive method. Statistical population consisted of elementary students of Ardabil. One hundred and eighty students were selected by multistage cluster sampling and used Distress Tolerance Questionnaire, Effortful Control Questionnaire and Abnormal Symptom Inventory. Data analyzed by Pearson correlation Test and Multiple Regression Analysis test. Results showed focus attention (r=0.79) and attention shifting (r=0.46) has negative relationship with externalizing problems (p < 0.01). Among components of distress intolerance, intolerance (r=0.21), low evaluation (r=0.19) and low absorption were positively related with externalizing problems (p < 0.05). Results of multiple regression analysis showed that 7 percent of the total variance of externalizing behavior explained by the distress intolerance and 27 percent explained by effortful control. These results suggest that low ability to distress tolerance and inability to effortful control is involved in externalizing behaviors.