The association of behavioural adjustment to temperament, parenting and family characteristics among 5-year-old children

The objective of this study was to identify, specific temperament, parentin g, and family variables, and their inter actions, which predict problem beh aviours and social skills in children. The subjects were 74 5-6 year old ch ildren (34 boys, 40 girls). Results shelved different combinations of varia bles predicted each behavioural outcome, and the child's 'goodness of fit' in the home was a strong predictor of externalising behaviour and social sk ills. An interaction between temperamental inflexibility and punitive paren ting in the development of parent-rated externalising behaviour problems wa s found. This study highlights the value of using specific indices of tempe rament, parenting and family functioning and of pursuing interaction effect s in the prediction of children's behavioural development.