The development of concern for others in children with behavior problems

The development of concern for others and externalizing problems were exami ned in young children with normative, subclinical, or clinical levels of be havior problems. There were no group differences in observable concern for others at 4-5 years of age, Children with clinical behavior problems decrea sed significantly in their concern by 6-7 years of age and were reported to have less concern at 6-7 years by mothers, teachers, and the children them selves, relative to other groups. Boys with clinical problems were more cal lous to others' distress at both time points. Girls showed more concern tha n boys across risk, time, and measures. Greater concern at 4-5 years predic ted decreases in the stability and severity of externalizing problems by 6- 7 years, and greater concern at 6-7 years predicted decreases in the stabil ity of problems by 9-10 years. Finally, maternal socialization approaches p redicted later concerned responding.