Graduation Semester and Year

2014

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Psychology

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Jeffrey R Gagne

Abstract

Externalizing problems, such as hyperactivity, inattention, and defiance, that emerge early in life put children on a path toward numerous adverse outcomes, including delinquency, academic failure, and substance abuse. Using a family study design, the current investigation sought to identify predictors of externalizing problems in preschool-aged children, with a specific focus on early executive functioning skills and maternal depression and education. Families with two children between the ages of 2.5 and 5.5 were recruited from the Dallas/Fort-Worth Metroplex and participated in a lab visit at The University of Texas at Arlington. The current study included 196 children (males = 102; mean age = 45.93 months, SD = 12.40) and their mothers (mean age = 34.13, SD = 5.13). Early executive functioning, specifically inhibitory control, predicted externalizing problems. Furthermore, maternal depression symptoms were positively related to children's externalizing problems, particularly among mothers with higher levels of education. Future research should examine the potentially positive impact of increasing inhibitory control on lowering child externalizing problems.

Disciplines

Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

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