Research Publication: Curvilinear Relations Between Preschool-Aged Children’s Effortful Control and Socioemotional Problems - Racial-Ethnic Differences in Functional Form

This published study of PACT Study data collected from Davis families between 2016 and 2019 shows that preschool-age children who are racial-ethnic minorities or non-Hispanic White differ most in internalizing problems, such as anxiety and social withdrawal, among those with low self-regulation. For preschoolers who are racial-ethnic minorities, higher self-regulation predicts fewer internalizing problems, whereas for preschoolers who are non-Hispanic White, higher self-regulation predicts more internalizing problems. Regardless of age, gender, and race-ethnicity, poor self-regulation predicts higher levels of externalizing behavior, such as aggression. These findings suggest racial-ethnic disparities in early internalizing problems are related to preschoolers’ self-control of their feelings, thoughts, and behavior, which is negatively related to their externalizing problems. Future studies from the DESC Lab will further explore children’s self-regulation, stress, and mental health.

Choe, D. E. (2021). Curvilinear relations between preschool-aged children’s effortful control and socioemotional problems: Racial-ethnic differences in functional form. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 52, 693–708. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-020-01056-8