Understanding children with behavioral inhibition: Multi-informant approach in educational and family contexts.

Behavioral inhibition is a temperament trait characterized by extreme fear in the face of novelty. Behavioral inhibition has been associated with the development of mental disorders. However, there is a lack of research examining the socioemotional and behavioral characteristics of behaviorally inhibited children both in family and school settings. For a more comprehensive and in-depth overview of children's behavior in each of these contexts, this study has collected data from both parents (mother and father-family setting) and from teachers (educational environment). The sample consisted of 109 children aged between 4 and 6 years old. Multi-informant approach was used: all fathers, mothers and teachers completed both the Preschool Behavioral Inhibition Scales, the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) for parents and teachers, and the Behavior Assessment System for Children and Adolescents (BASC). Our findings revealed that children classified as behavioral inhibition exhibit less socioemotional and behavioral adjustments than their uninhibited peers both in family and school contexts. Further, the shyness variable seemed to be strongly associated with behavioral inhibition, regardless of informant and context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]