Relation of maternal responsiveness during infancy to the development of behavior problems in high-risk youths

Although problematic parenting has been consistently associated with behavi or problems in youths, prospective links between early parenting and childh ood behavior problems are less well established This study examined the ass ociation of maternal responsiveness (MRes) during infancy and behavior prob lems in middle childhood (N = 77). MRes was significantly associated with d isruptive behavior problems but was unrelated to attention problems. Absenc e of MRes during infancy increased the risk of disruptive behavior problems in middle childhood, even with concurrent parenting and established risk f actors for disruptive behavior controlled. MRes also interacted with concur rent family risk to predict disruptive behavior symptoms. These findings un derscore the importance of early parenting for developmental pathways to di sruptive behavior disorders in high-risk youths. The identification of a re latively modifiable early risk factor for disruptive behavior problems has important implications for prevention.