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The role of language ability and self-regulation in the development of inattentive–hyperactive behavior problems
Journal article   Peer reviewed

The role of language ability and self-regulation in the development of inattentive–hyperactive behavior problems

Isaac T Petersen, John E Bates and Angela D Staples
Development and psychopathology, Vol.27(1), pp.221-237
02/2015
DOI: 10.1017/S0954579414000698
PMCID: PMC4294999
PMID: 25025234
url
http://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579414000698View
Open Access

Abstract

Previous research has found associations but not established mechanisms of developmental linkage between language ability and inattentive–hyperactive (I-H) behavior problems. The present study examined whether self-regulation mediates the effect of language ability on later I-H behavior problems among young children (N = 120) assessed at 30, 36, and 42 months of age. Cross-lagged panel models tested the direction of effect between language ability and self-regulation and longitudinal effects of language ability on later I-H problems mediated by self-regulation. Language ability was measured by children's scores on the receptive and expressive language subtests of the Differential Ability Scales. Self-regulation was measured by three behavioral tasks requiring inhibitory control. I-H problems were reported by parents and secondary caregivers. Language ability predicted later self-regulation as measured by all three tasks. There was no association, however, between self-regulation and later language ability, suggesting that the direction of effect was stronger from language ability to later self-regulation. Moreover, the effect of language ability on later I-H behavior problems was mediated by children's self-regulation in one of the tasks (for secondary caregivers' but not parents' ratings). Findings suggest that language deficits may explain later I-H behavior problems via their prediction of poorer self-regulatory skills.
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