Categorical and Latent Profile Approaches to Temperamental Infant Reactivity and Early Trajectories of Socioemotional Adjustment

This article examines the patterns, and consequences, of infant temperamental reactivity to novel sensory input in a large (N = 357; 271 in current analysis) and diverse longitudinal sample through two approaches. First, we examined profiles of reactivity in 4-month-old infants using the traditional theory-driven analytic approach laid out by Jerome Kagan and colleagues, and derived groups characterized by extreme patterns of negative reactivity and positive reactivity. We then used a theory-neutral, data-driven approach to create latent profiles of reactivity from the same infants. Despite differences in sample characteristics and recruitment strategy, we noted similar reactivity groups relative to prior cohorts. The current data-driven approach found four profiles: high positive, high negative, high motor, and low reactive. Follow-up analyses found differential predictions of internalizing, externalizing, dysregulation, and competence trajectories across 12, 18, and 24 months of life based on 4-month reactivity profiles. Findings are discussed in light of the initial formulation of early reactivity by Kagan and the four decades of research that has followed to refine, bolster, and expand on this approach to child-centered individual differences.

© American Psychological Association, 2024-01-08. This paper is not the copy of record and may not exactly replicate the authoritative document published in the APA journal. Please do not copy or cite without author's permission. The final article is available, upon publication, at: https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0001679

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Work Title Categorical and Latent Profile Approaches to Temperamental Infant Reactivity and Early Trajectories of Socioemotional Adjustment
Subtitle Developmental Psychology
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Bereniece Anaya
  2. Linda Bierstedt
  3. Nora Tucker
  4. Kristin A. Buss
  5. Vanessa LoBue
  6. Koraly Pérez-Edgar
Keyword
  1. temperamental reactivity
  2. internalizing problems
  3. infancy
  4. latent profile analysis
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. Developmental Psychology
Publication Date 2024
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0001679
Deposited August 26, 2024

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  • Created
  • Added Anaya_et_al__in_press_._Developmental_Psychology.pdf
  • Added Creator Bereniece Anaya
  • Added Creator Linda Bierstedt
  • Added Creator Nora Tucker
  • Added Creator Kristin A. Buss
  • Added Creator Vanessa LoBue
  • Added Creator K Perez-Edgar
  • Added Creator Koraly Pérez-Edgar
  • Published
  • Updated
  • Updated Keyword Show Changes
    Keyword
    • temperamental reactivity, internalizing problems, infancy, latent profile analysis
  • Deleted Creator K Perez-Edgar
  • Updated Creator Koraly Pérez-Edgar
  • Updated Publication Date Show Changes
    Publication Date
    • 2024-01-01
    • 2024