Unknown

Dataset Information

0

Punishment Insensitivity in Early Childhood: A Developmental, Dimensional Approach.


ABSTRACT: Impairment in learning from punishment ("punishment insensitivity") is an established feature of severe antisocial behavior in adults and youth but it has not been well studied as a developmental phenomenon. In early childhood, differentiating a normal: abnormal spectrum of punishment insensitivity is key for distinguishing normative misbehavior from atypical manifestations. This study employed a novel measure, the Multidimensional Assessment Profile of Disruptive Behavior (MAP-DB), to examine the distribution, dimensionality, and external validity of punishment insensitivity in a large, demographically diverse community sample of preschoolers (3-5 years) recruited from pediatric clinics (N?=?1,855). Caregivers completed surveys from which a seven-item Punishment Insensitivity scale was derived. Findings indicated that Punishment Insensitivity behaviors are relatively common in young children, with at least 50 % of preschoolers exhibiting them sometimes. Item response theory analyses revealed a Punishment Insensitivity spectrum. Items varied along a severity continuum: most items needed to occur "Often" in order to be severe and behaviors that were qualitatively atypical or intense were more severe. Although there were item-level differences across sociodemographic groups, these were small. Construct, convergent, and divergent validity were demonstrated via association to low concern for others and noncompliance, motivational regulation, and a disruptive family context. Incremental clinical utility was demonstrated in relation to impairment. Early childhood punishment insensitivity varies along a severity continuum and is atypical when it predominates. Implications for understanding the phenomenology of emergent disruptive behavior are discussed.

SUBMITTER: Nichols SR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4446258 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

altmetric image

Publications

Punishment Insensitivity in Early Childhood: A Developmental, Dimensional Approach.

Nichols Sara R SR   Briggs-Gowan Margaret J MJ   Estabrook Ryne R   Burns James L JL   Kestler Jacqueline J   Berman Grace G   Henry David B DB   Wakschlag Lauren S LS  

Journal of abnormal child psychology 20150801 6


Impairment in learning from punishment ("punishment insensitivity") is an established feature of severe antisocial behavior in adults and youth but it has not been well studied as a developmental phenomenon. In early childhood, differentiating a normal: abnormal spectrum of punishment insensitivity is key for distinguishing normative misbehavior from atypical manifestations. This study employed a novel measure, the Multidimensional Assessment Profile of Disruptive Behavior (MAP-DB), to examine t  ...[more]

Similar Datasets

| S-EPMC6890457 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC8177883 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC5563422 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC5584621 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC3633202 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC5906792 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC4418828 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6346655 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6143066 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC3412561 | biostudies-literature