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Understanding of self and maternal warmth predict later self-regulation in toddlers

University of Pittsburgh, jenningskd{at}upmc.edu

Ian Sandberg

University of Pittsburgh

Sue A. Kelley

University of Pittsburgh

Lourdes Valdes

University of Pittsburgh

Kirsten Yaggi

University of Pittsburgh

Amy Abrew

University of Pittsburgh

Melody Macey-Kalcevic

University of Pittsburgh

Research on the development of self-regulation has focused primarily on the roles of maternal behavior and attention, but cognitive understanding of the self is also likely to contribute, as is exposure to maternal depression. In this study toddlers' understanding of self-as-object and understanding of agency were assessed behaviorally at both 20 and 27 months (N = 100). Maternal warmth during interactions was also observed at both ages. Half of the toddlers had been exposed to maternal depression. At 34 months toddlers' self-regulation was assessed behaviorally. As expected, toddlers' early understanding of the self (both self-as-object and agency) as well as maternal warmth predicted self-regulation later in toddlerhood. Maternal depression, however, was not associated with self-regulation. These findings provide empirical support for the theoretical construct of the self-system and suggest that early cognitive understanding of the self enables toddlers to better regulate their behavior.

Key Words: early development • maternal depression • parenting • self-concept • self-regulation • toddlers

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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Google Scholar Articles by Jennings, K. D. Articles by Macey-Kalcevic, M. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?