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Studying children's growth in self-regulation using changing measures to account for heterotypic continuity: A Bayesian approach to developmental scaling
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Studying children's growth in self-regulation using changing measures to account for heterotypic continuity: A Bayesian approach to developmental scaling

Alexis Hosch, Jacob J. Oleson, Jordan L. Harris, Mary Taylor Goeltz, Tabea Neumann, Brandon LeBeau, Eliot Hazeltine and Isaac T. Petersen
Developmental science, Vol.25(6), e13280
11/01/2022
DOI: 10.1111/desc.13280
PMCID: PMC9617752
PMID: 35615923
url
https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.13280View
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0 Open Access

Abstract

Self-regulation is thought to show heterotypic continuity-its individual differences endure but its behavioral manifestations change across development. Thus, different measures across time may be necessary to account for heterotypic continuity of self-regulation. This longitudinal study examined children's (N = 108) self-regulation development using 17 measures, including 15 performance-based measures, two questionnaires, and three raters across seven time points. It is the first to use different measures of self-regulation over time to account for heterotypic continuity while using developmental scaling to link the measures onto the same scale for more accurate growth estimates. Assessed facets included inhibitory control, delayed gratification, sustained attention, and executive functions. Some measures differed across ages to retain construct validity and account for heterotypic continuity. A Bayesian longitudinal mixed model for developmental scaling was developed to link the differing measures onto the same scale. This allowed charting children's self-regulation growth across ages 3-7 years and relating it to both predictors and outcomes. Rapid growth occurred from ages 3-6. As a validation of the developmental scaling approach, greater self-regulation was associated with better school readiness (math and reading skills) and fewer externalizing problems. Our multi-wave, multi-facet, multi-method, multi-measure, multi-rater, developmental scaling approach is the most comprehensive to date for assessing the development of self-regulation. This approach demonstrates that developmental scaling may enable studying development of self-regulation across the lifespan.
Psychology Social Sciences Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Experimental UIOWA OA Agreement

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