Temperamentstypes bij peuters. Stabiliteit en longitudinale relaties met negatief en positief opvoedgedrag

This study investigated stability of toddlers’ temperament types, and longitudinal associations between temperament types and parenting. Mothers (n = 96) reported on their child’s temperament four times throughout 1 year (44 % girls; Mage = 30 months, range = 18–43 months). Parenting was measured by self-report and observation. We found three temperament types: a ‘typical’ type, an ‘expressive’ type with externalizing problems, and a ‘fearful’ type with internalizing problems. The temperament types were highly stable over time (72 % stability across 1 year). Changes in temperament type were associated with parenting: increases in the probability of belonging to the typical type were associated with increases in positive and decreases in negative behavior. Increases in the probability of belonging to the fearful and expressive type were associated with decreases in positive parenting. Temperament types are highly stable in toddlerhood, while changes are associated with parenting behavior.