Stability and outcome of persistent infant crying

Author(s): Conroy, S., Wilsher, C.

Journal/Book: Infant Behav Develop. 1998; 21: 100 Prospect St, PO Box 811, Stamford, CT 06904-0811. Ablex Publ Corp. 411-435.

Abstract: Six week old infants who fussed and cried for 3 or more hrs per day (persistent criers), evening criers, and moderate criers were assessed using researcher and maternal measures of infant, maternal and family characteristics at 6 weeks, 5 months and 15 months of infant age. Convergent evidence of stable individual differences in negative behavior was found between 6 weeks - 5 months and 5 - 15 months of age. Objectively hard-to-soothe infants, particularly, were distinguished on a range of researcher and maternal measures. Between 6 weeks and 15 months, infant negative behavior was not a stable characteristic, although mothers continued to rate the same infants as fussy/difficult. In multiple regression analyses, infant negative behavior at 6 weeks did not predict maternal or researcher measures of infant negativity. Temperament, behavior problems or cognition at 15 months. Maternal and family variables mediated the development of infant negative behavior.

Note: Article StJamesRoberts L, Univ London, Inst Educ, Thomas Coram Res Unit, 27-28 Woburn Sq, London WC1H 0AA, ENGLAND

Keyword(s): infant crying; infant colic; negative behavior; maternal sensitivity; social support; behavior problems; temperament; emotional development; social development; sleeping problems; 1ST YEAR; INDIVIDUAL-DIFFERENCES; MATERNAL PERCEPTIONS; NEONATAL BEHAVIOR; DOUBLE-BLIND; COWS MILK; TEMPERAMENT; LIFE; ATTACHMENT; PATTERNS

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