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Tantrums and Anxiety in Early Childhood: A Pilot Study (HTML)
By Gina Mireault, Jessica Trahan
Early Childhood Research to Practice, 9, 2; Fall, 2007

Summary: This study explored temper tantrum precipitants; their frequency, intensity, and duration; and parental responses to them in a sample of 33 children (aged 3–5 years). It was hypothesized that tantrum frequency, intensity, and duration would be associated with parent-reported child anxiety. Tantrum intensity and duration were positively correlated with parent ratings of child anxiety/depression on the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist. The role of anxiety in oppositional behavior may be significant for intervention and child-rearing practices. It is recommended that caregivers respond to tantrums as a potential anxiety response. Caregivers should maintain proximity to the child and reflect back the child’s feelings and experiences in order to provide words for and meaning to the child’s emotions. This type of response can help prevent the child from feeling isolated, abandoned, or punished, and thus help decrease anxiety. Emotional regulation is implicated in tantrum behavior and develops with brain maturation and with opportunities for observation and practice of coping skills.

Index Terms: Behavior, Emotional Development, Social Development, Child Development, Intervention, Studies, Achenbach Child Behavior checklist

Publisher: Early Childhood and Parenting Collaborative

Publication Type: Reports (Research/technical)

Pages: 9 pages
Language: English
URL: http://ecrp.uiuc.edu/v9n2/mireault.html

Availability
Early Childhood and Parenting Collaborative
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Children's Research Center
51 Gerty Drive
Champaign, Illinois 61820-7469
217-333-1386
FAX: 217-244-7732
ecap@uiuc.edu
http://ecap.crc.uiuc.edu

 
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