Assessing anger regulation in middle childhood: development and validation of a behavioral observation measure

Self-regulation facets differentially predict internalizing symptom trajectories from middle childhood to early adolescence: a longitudinal multimethod study

BACKGROUND

Internalizing symptoms are among the most common psychological symptoms in childhood and adolescence, are highly stable and can cause severe impairment. Current research discusses lower capacities of self-regulation (SR) as risk factors for the development of internalizing symptoms. The present study identifies trajectories of internalizing symptoms in the transition phase from middle childhood to adolescence and examines multiple SR facets as predictors of potentially unfavorable trajectories, also in the presence of other established risk factors.

METHODS

The study utilized a community sample of N = 1453 (52.2% female) German children, who provided data at up to three measurement points (t1: 6-11 years, t2: 7-11 years, t3: 9-13 years). Trajectories of internalizing symptoms were based on parents' ratings of the emotional problems scale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. SR facets were assessed using multiple methods and informants. Two multinomial regression analyses were conducted to predict class membership by (1) SR facets and gender and (2) SR facets, gender, and other established risk factors (education status, family adversity, peer problems).

RESULTS

Using growth mixture modelling, we identified three trajectory classes with stable low (n = 1200), increasing (n = 124), and early high decreasing internalizing symptoms (n = 129). In the regression analysis controlling for risk factors, membership in the increasing trajectory was significantly predicted by higher emotional reactivity (OR = 2.65, p < .001), higher cognitive flexibility/set-shifting (OR = 1.48, p = .032), and higher family adversity (OR = 1.38, p = .046). Membership in the early high decreasing trajectory was significantly predicted by higher emotional reactivity (OR = 4.15, p < .001), higher inhibitory control (OR = 1.47, p = .045), lower working-memory updating (OR = 0.69, p = .016), lower delay of gratification (OR = 0.75, p = .028), and higher family adversity (OR = 1.63, p = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

SR facets incrementally and differentially predict potentially unfavorable trajectories of internalizing symptoms from age 6 to 13, surpassing the predictive value of gender or education status. Higher emotional reactivity emerged as the most influential factor, which could therefore be addressed in future prevention and intervention efforts.

Investigating the Multidimensionality and Psychometric Properties of the Children's Anger Rumination Scale (CARS): A Bifactor Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling Framework

Anger Rumination (AR) represents a maladaptive cognitive process that contributes negatively to psychosocial functioning. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the psychometric properties (e.g., factorial structure, measurement invariance, and reliability) of the Children's Anger Rumination Scale (CARS). Factorial structure was tested by contrasting alternative model representations of the instrument (one- and four-factor independent cluster models-confirmatory factor analysis [ICM-CFA], exploratory structural equation modelling [ESEM], bifactor-CFA and bifactor-ESEM) in a convenience sample of 552 Greek students (M_age = 11.50 years; 53.6% girls). The hypothesized bifactor-ESEM solution, composed by a general anger rumination factor and four specific factors (Angry Afterthoughts, Thoughts of Revenge, Angry Memories, and Understanding of Causes) provided the best fit to the data and revealed the unitary dimensionality of the CARS. Measurement invariance across gender and age in level of the latent means indicated no significant differences in relation to AR tendency. The CARS showed internal consistency, one-month test-retest reliability as well as desirable patterns of convergent and discriminant validity. The predictive power of the instrument was also supported as participants' AR propensity was found to explain both depressive symptoms and bullying behaviors. Overall, our findings indicate that the CARS is a developmentally appropriate and psychometrically sound instrument that conceptualizes AR as an unidimensional construct among children and preadolescents.

Context-dependent irritability in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: correlates and stability of family-restricted versus cross-situational temper outbursts

BACKGROUND

Impairing irritability is highly prevalent in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), although manifestations of irritability are not necessarily present in all settings (home, school, with peers). At the moment, little is known about the relative prevalence, stability, and etiologies of contextual versus cross-situational manifestations of irritability in ADHD. In this study, levels of dysfunctional parenting practices and sleep problems were compared in irritable versus nonirritable children with ADHD, in cases of family-restricted versus cross-situational irritability, and examined as predictors of irritability levels over a one-year interval. Stability of irritability manifestations over time was investigated, and prevalence of cross-situational disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) versus 'family-restricted' DMDD was compared.

METHOD

One hundred and seventy children with ADHD (age 6-11) were examined. Parents completed a semi-structured interview and questionnaire to assess irritability, and parent-report questionnaires were used to evaluate parenting practices and sleep problems. Questionnaires were completed for a second time after a one-year interval.

RESULTS

Parenting practices were more dysfunctional in the irritable group compared to the nonirritable group, while sleep problems did not differ between these two groups. Levels of parenting practices and sleep problems did not predict later irritability after correction for multiple comparison nor did they differ between the family-restricted and cross-situational irritable groups. Finally, family-restricted irritability was as prevalent and as stable over time as cross-situational irritability and family-restricted DMDD as prevalent as cross-situational DMDD.

CONCLUSIONS

Factors associated with contextual versus cross-situational manifestations of irritability in ADHD remain elusive. More subtle measures of parenting practices should be considered, including psychological control or accommodation, and other constructs such as social inhibition. Despite not being captured by current nosography, severe forms of family-restricted irritability may be as prevalent as severe forms of cross-situational irritability.

A Systematic Review of Self-Report Measures of Negative Self-Referential Emotions Developed for Non-Clinical Child and Adolescent Samples

The crisis in child and adolescent mental health and wellbeing has prompted the development of school and community-based interventions to tackle negative emotions towards the self. Providing an evidence-base for such interventions is therefore a priority for policy makers and practitioners. This paper presents the first systematic review of self-referential and self-report measures of negative emotions for use with non-clinical child/adolescent populations, and evaluation of their psychometric properties. A systematic search of electronic databases and grey literature was conducted. Peer reviewed articles that introduced a new measure or included psychometric evaluation of a negative self-referential emotion for children and/or adolescents were identified. Study characteristics were extracted, and psychometric properties rated using internationally recognised quality criteria. Initially, 98 measures designed for evaluating children and adolescents' negative self-referential emotions were found. Measures were primarily excluded if they were intended for clinical diagnosis or did not focus on self-referential emotions. The remaining eight measures (Brief Shame and Guilt Questionnaire; Self-Consciousness Scale-Children; Shame and Guilt Scale for Adolescents; Test of Self-Conscious Affect- Adolescents; The Child-Adolescent Perfectionism Scale [CAPS]; Child and Adolescent Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale Revised; Children Automatic Thoughts Scale [CATS]; Negative Affect Self-Statement Questionnaire) were organised into domains consisting of self-conscious emotions, self-oriented perfectionism and negative self-cognitions. Psychometric quality ratings identified the CAPS (Flett et al. in J Psychoeduc Assess 34:634-652, 2016) and the CATS (Schniering and Rapee in Behav Res Ther 40:1091-1109, 2002) as having the strongest psychometric qualities. However, all reviewed measures lacked full evaluation of essential psychometric properties. Our review revealed a paucity of self-referential emotional measures suitable for assessing adverse negative self-referential emotions in general child and adolescent populations. Measures suitable for use in non-clinical samples were identified, but these require further evaluation and/or new scale developments are needed. The psychometric findings and methodological issues identified will guide researchers and practitioners to make evidence-based decisions in order to select optimal measures.

Risk Factors for the Development of Aggressive Behavior From Middle Childhood to Adolescence: The Interaction of Person and Environment

In this article, I examine the development of aggressive behavior from middle childhood to adolescence as a result of the interaction between the person and the environment and discuss implications for intervention measures. Three main questions are addressed and illustrated by examples from recent research: What are intrapersonal risk factors for the development and persistence of aggressive behavior from middle childhood to adolescence? What factors in the social environment contribute to the development of aggressive behavior? How do individual dispositions and environmental risk factors interact to explain developmental trajectories of aggressive behavior?

Executive Functions and Emotion Regulation in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Borderline Intellectual Disability

The main objective of this study is to investigate the multiple relations and to determine the differences between executive functions (EFs), emotion regulation, and behavioral and emotional problems in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), borderline intellectual disability (ID), and typical development (TD). The sample included 85 children aged 6 to 11 years, 42 with typical development (TD), 27 with ADHD, and 16 with borderline ID. The results emphasized a positive correlation between adaptive emotion regulation strategies and EFs, and no significant relations between the maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and EFs. In addition, the executive function of planning correlated negatively with anxiety, ADHD symptoms, and conduct problems. The performance of both clinical groups regarding EFs was significantly lower than that of the TD group, and they differed significantly from each other only on visual attention. The presence of oppositional-defiant and conduct problems was higher in both clinical groups than in the TD group, and more anxiety symptoms were reported in children with ADHD. This study supports the idea that emotion regulation, Efs, and clinical symptoms are interconnected. It also profiles the deficits in cognitive functioning and emotion regulation in two clinical groups, thus helping future intervention programs.

Aufbau der Ärgerkontrolle

Zusammenfassung. Ärgerkontrolle bezeichnet die Fähigkeit, das Erleben und die Äußerung von Ärgergefühlen so zu gestalten, dass die Belastungen der sozialen Umwelt und der eigenen Person minimal ausgeprägt sind. Eine mangelhaft ausgeprägte Ärgerkontrolle kennzeichnet vor allem Kinder mit reaktiv-aggressivem Verhalten und beeinträchtigt die psychische Gesundheit und den Sozialkontakt eines Kindes stark. Obwohl aggressives Verhalten oft von Ärgergefühlen moderiert oder als die Folge von intensiven Ärgergefühlen betrachtet wird, liegt der Schwerpunkt von Therapieprogrammen für Sechs- bis 12-jährige mit aggressivem Verhalten auf dem Aufbau sozial kompetenten Verhaltens. Am Beispiel von drei deutschsprachigen verhaltenstherapeutischen Programmen wird der Frage nachgegangen, inwiefern und in welcher Form die Bewältigung von Ärger und Wutimpulsen in diesen Therapieprogrammen für Kinder mit aggressivem Verhalten berücksichtigt sind. Es zeigt sich, dass neben Techniken zur Steuerung von Ärgergefühlen insbesondere eine differenzierte Wahrnehmung des Ärgererlebens und die Vermittlung geeigneter Strategien zur Ärgerkontrolle wichtige Bestandteile der Therapieprogramme aggressiven Verhaltens im Kindesalter bilden.

Modeling Semantic Emotion Space Using a 3D Hypercube-Projection: An Innovative Analytical Approach for the Psychology of Emotions

The widely accepted two-dimensional circumplex model of emotions posits that most instances of human emotional experience can be understood within the two general dimensions of valence and activation. Currently, this model is facing some criticism, because complex emotions in particular are hard to define within only these two general dimensions. The present theory-driven study introduces an innovative analytical approach working in a way other than the conventional, two-dimensional paradigm. The main goal was to map and project semantic emotion space in terms of mutual positions of various emotion prototypical categories. Participants (N = 187; 54.5% females) judged 16 discrete emotions in terms of valence, intensity, controllability and utility. The results revealed that these four dimensional input measures were uncorrelated. This implies that valence, intensity, controllability and utility represented clearly different qualities of discrete emotions in the judgments of the participants. Based on this data, we constructed a 3D hypercube-projection and compared it with various two-dimensional projections. This contrasting enabled us to detect several sources of bias when working with the traditional, two-dimensional analytical approach. Contrasting two-dimensional and three-dimensional projections revealed that the 2D models provided biased insights about how emotions are conceptually related to one another along multiple dimensions. The results of the present study point out the reductionist nature of the two-dimensional paradigm in the psychological theory of emotions and challenge the widely accepted circumplex model.