INFANT TEMPERAMENTAL FACTORS AS PREDICTORS OF PROBLEM BEHAVIOR AND IQ AT AGE 5 YEARS: INTERACTIONAL EFFECTS OF BIOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL RISK FACTORS

Long-term effects of infant temperament on problem behavior and cognitive abilities at age 5 years were investigated, taking into account Interactions between Infant temperament and biological and social risk. A total of 235 infants, of whom 52 were small-for-gestational age, were followed from birth. Their mothers completed the 6 and 13 months versions of the Infant Characteristics Questionnaire, and rated behavior problems by completing the Personality Inventory for Children and the Yale Childrenʹs Inventory. Cognitive abilities were assessed with WPPSIR (IQ). Significant Interactional effects were found for 13 month "unsociable" temperament with biological risk lp <-01). and for 6 month "fussy-difficult" temperament with social risk (p <.05). both having adverse effects on child behavioral outcome. With regard to 13 months "persistent" temperament, a significant interactional effect was found with biological risk having a negative effect on child IQ (p <.05). and with social risk having a positive effect on child IQ (p <.05). It is suggested that the effect of infant temperamental traits on later child adjustment should be assessed by taking into account other characteristics of the child and the childʹs environment