Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Assessment of Behavioral and Emotional Problems in Infancy: A Systematic Review

  • Published:
Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Behavioral and emotional problems are highly prevalent in early childhood and represent an important focus of practice for clinical child and pediatric psychologists. Although psychological or psychiatric disorders are not typically diagnosed in children under the age of 2 years, recent research has demonstrated the appropriateness of assessing behavioral and emotional problems during the first 2 years of life (defined throughout as “infancy”). The current paper provides a systematic review of assessment procedures used to identify behavioral and emotional problems during infancy. Existing assessment procedures for infants take the form of parent- or caregiver-report questionnaires, observational coding procedures, and diagnostic classification systems. The questionnaires and observational coding procedures both had substantial psychometric evidence for use with infants, although observational coding may have limited utility in clinical practice. The classification systems have less empirical support for use with infants, and further research is necessary to demonstrate the appropriateness of these procedures with infants. Utilizing the reviewed procedures to assess behavioral and emotional problems in infants can have a substantial impact in research and practice settings, and further research is needed to determine the usefulness of these procedures in developing, testing, and implementing preventive and early intervention programs for infants and their families.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Assessment of intellectual and developmental delays/disabilities in infancy (e.g., autism) has also received recent attention, and can be reviewed elsewhere (e.g., Dumont-Mathieu and Fein 2005).

  2. Evaluation and assessment are sometimes used interchangeably. In this review, we use the term assessment as a broader construct incorporating both screening and evaluation.

References

  • Achenbach, T. M., & Rescorla, L. A. (2001). Manual for the ASEBA preschool forms and profiles. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont, Research Center for Children, Youth, and Families.

    Google Scholar 

  • Achenbach, T. M., Edelbrock, C., & Howell, C. T. (1987). Empirically based assessment of the behavioral/emotional problems of 2- and 3-year-old children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 15, 629–650. doi:10.1207/S15374424JCCP3203_02.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alink, L. R., Mesman, J., van Zeijl, J., Stolk, M. N., Juffer, F., Koot, H. M., et al. (2006). The early childhood aggression curve: Development of physical aggression in 10- to 50-month-old children. Child Development, 77, 954–966. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2006.00912.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aoki, Y., Zeanah, C. H., Heller, S. S., & Bakshi, S. (2002). Parent-infant relationship global assessment scale: A study of its predictive validity. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 56, 493–497. doi:10.1046/j.1440-1819.2002.01044.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bagnato, S. J., Neisworth, J. T., Salvia, J. J., & Hunt, F. M. (1999). Temperament and atypical behavior scale (TABS)—early childhood indicators of developmental dysfunction. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bagner, D. M., Harwood, M. D., & Eyberg, S. M. (2006). Psychometric considerations in child behavioral assessment. In M. Hersen (Ed.), Handbook of child behavioral assessment (pp. 63–79). San Diego: Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bagner, D. M., Pettit, J. W., Lewinsohn, P. M., & Seeley, J. R. (2010). Effect of maternal depression on child behavior: A sensitive period? Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 49, 699–707. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2010.03.012.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beauchaine, T. P. (2003). Taxometrics and developmental psychopathology. Development and Psychopathology, 15, 501–527. doi:10.1017/S0954579403000270.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beck, C. T. (1999). Maternal depression and child behaviour problems: A meta-analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 29, 623–629. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2648.1999.00943.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Biringen, Z. (2005). Training and reliability issues with the emotional availability scales. Infant Mental Health Journal, 46, 404. doi:10.1002/imhj.20060.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biringen, Z. (2008). Emotional availability (EA) scales manual, 4th edition. Part 1: Infancy/early childhood version (child age: 0–5 years).

  • Biringen, Z., Emde, R., Brown, D., Lowe, L., Myers, S., & Nelson, D. (1999). Emotional availability and emotion communication in naturalistic mother-infant interactions: Evidence for gender relations. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 14, 463–478. Retrived from:http://www.sbp-journal.com.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biringen, Z., Matheny, A., Bretherton, I., Renouf, A., & Sherman, M. (2000). Maternal representation of the self as parent: Connections with maternal sensitivity and maternal structuring. Attachment & Human Development, 2, 218–232. doi:10.1080/14616730050085572.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bornstein, M. H., Gini, M., Putnick, D. L., Haynes, O. M., Painter, K. M., & Suwalsky, J. T. D. (2006). Short-term reliability and continuity of emotional availability in mother-child dyads across contexts of observation. Infancy, 10, 1–16. doi:10.1207/s15327078in1001_1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briggs, R. D., Racine, A. D., & Chinitz, S. (2007). Preventive pediatric mental health care: A co-location model. Infant Mental Health Journal, 28, 481–495. doi:10.1002/imhj.20149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briggs-Gowan, M. J., Carter, A. S., Skuban, E. M., & Horwitz, S. M. (2001). Prevalence of social-emotional and behavioral problems in a community sample of 1- and 2-year-old children. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 40, 811–819. doi:10.1097/00004583-200107000-00016.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Briggs-Gowan, M. J., Carter, A. S., Irwin, J. R., Wachtel, K., & Cicchetti, D. V. (2004). The brief infant-toddler social and emotional assessment: Screening for social-emotional problems and delays in competence. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 29, 143–155. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsh017.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Briggs-Gowan, M. J., Carter, A. S., Bosson-Heenan, J., Guyer, A. E., & Horwitz, S. M. (2006). Are infant-toddler social-emotional and behavioral problems transient? Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 45, 849–858. doi:10.1097/01.chi.0000220849.48650.59.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bryne, M. W., & Keefe, M. R. (2003). Comparison of two measures of parent-child interaction. Nursing Research, 52, 34–41. doi:10.1097/00006199-200301000-00005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, S. B., Shaw, D. S., & Gilliom, M. (2000). Early externalizing behavior problems: Toddlers and preschoolers at risk for later maladjustment. Development and Psychopathology, 12, 467–488. doi:10.1017/S0954579400003114.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, E. A., Egeland, B., & Sroufe, L. A. (2009). A prospective investigation of the development of borderline personality symptoms. Development and Psychopathology, 21, 1311–1334. doi:10.1017/S0954579409990174.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carter, A. S., & Briggs-Gowan, M. J. (2006). ITSEA/BITSEA: Infant toddler and brief infant toddler social and emotional assessment examiner’s manual. San Antonio, TX: Harcourt Assessment.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter, A. S., Garrity-Rokous, F. E., Chazan-Cohen, R., Little, C., & Briggs-Gowan, M. J. (2001). Maternal depression and comorbidity: Predicting early parenting, attachment security, and toddler social-emotional problems and competencies. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 40, 18–26. doi:10.1097/00004583-200101000-00012.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carter, A. S., Briggs-Gowan, M. J., & Davis, N. O. (2004). Assessment of young children’s social-emotional development and psychopathology: Recent advances and recommendations for practice. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 45, 109–134. doi:10.1046/j.0021-9630.2003.00316.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chess, S., & Thomas, A. (1977). Temperamental individuality from childhood to adolescence. Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 16, 218–226. doi:10.1016/S0002-7138(09)60038-8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, R. (1985). The parent-child early relational assessment: Instrument and manual. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Medical School, Department of Psychiatry.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, R. (1999). The parent-child early relational assessment: A factorial validity study. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 59, 821–846. doi:10.1177/00131649921970161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cote, S. M., Vaillancourt, T., LeBlanc, J. C., Nagin, D. S., & Tremblay, R. E. (2006). The development of physical aggression from toddlerhood to pre-adolescence: A nation wide longitudinal study of Canadian children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 34, 71–85. doi:10.1007/s10802-005-9001-z.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cox, J. E., Huntington, N., Saada, A., Epee-Bounya, A., & Schonwald, A. D. (2010). Developmental screening and parents’ written comments: An added dimension to the parents’ evaluation of developmental status questionnaire. Pediatrics, 126, S170–S176. doi:10.1542/peds.2010-1466M.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Drotar, D. (1999). The diagnostic and statistical manual for primary care (DSM-PC), child and adolescent version: What pediatric psychologists need to know. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 24, 369–380. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/24.5.369.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dumont-Mathieu, T., & Fein, D. (2005). Screening for autism in young children: The modified checklist for autism in toddlers (M-CHAT) and other measures. Mental retardation and developmental disabilities research reviews, 11, 253–262. doi:10.1002/mrdd.20072.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dunitz, M., Scheer, P. J., Kvas, E., & Macari, S. (1996). Psychiatric diagnoses in infancy: A comparison. Infant Mental Health Journal, 17, 12–23. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-0355(199621)17:1<12:AID-IMHJ2>3.0.CO;2-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Egger, H. L., & Angold, A. (2004). The Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA): A structured parent interview for diagnosing psychiatric disorders in preschool children. In R. DelCarmen-Wiggins & A. Carter (Eds.), Handbook of Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Mental Health Assessment (pp. 223–243). New York: Oxford University Press.

  • Egger, H. L., & Angold, A. (2006). Common emotional and behavioral disorders in preschool children: Presentation, nosology, and epidemiology. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 47, 313–337. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2006.01618.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Egger, H. L., & Emde, R. N. (2011). Developmentally sensitive diagnostic criteria for mental health disorders in early childhood: The diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-IV, the research diagnostic criteria-preschool age, and the diagnostic classification of mental health and developmental disorders of infancy and early childhood-revised. The American Psychologist, 66, 95–106. doi:10.1037/a0021026.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Egger, H. L., Erkanli, A., Keeler, G., Potts, E., Walter, B. K., & Angold, A. (2006). Test-Retest Reliability of the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA). Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 45, 538–549. doi:10.1097/01.chi.0000205705.71194.b8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Essex, M. J., Kraemer, H. C., Slattery, M. J., Burk, L. R., Boyce, W. T., Woodward, H. R., et al. (2009). Screening for childhood mental health problems: Outcomes and early identification. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 50, 562–570. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2008.02015.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farel, A. M., Freeman, V. A., Keenan, N. L., & Huber, C. J. (2007). Interaction between high-risk infants and their mothers: The NCAST as an assessment tool. Research in Nursing and Health, 14, 109–118. doi:10.1002/nur.4770140205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feldman, R. (2007). Maternal versus child risk and the development of parent-child and family relationships in five high-risk populations. Development and Psychopathology, 19, 293–312. doi:10.1017/S0954579407070150.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • French, E. D., Pituch, M., Brandt, J., & Pohorecki, S. (1998). Improving interactions between substance abusing mothers and their substance-exposed newborns. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 27, 262–269. doi:10.1111/j.1552-6909.1998.tb02648.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frick, P. J. (2004). Integrating research on temperament and childhood psychopathology: Its pitfalls and promise. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 33, 2–7. doi:10.1207/S15374424JCCP3301_1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gartstein, M. A., & Rothbart, M. K. (2003). Studying infant temperament via the revised infant behavior questionnaire. Infant Behavior and Development, 26, 64–86. doi:10.1016/S0163-6383(02)00169-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldsmith, H. H. (1996). Studying temperament via construction of the toddler behavior assessment questionnaire. Child Development, 67, 218–235. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.1996.tb01730.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gomez, C. R., & Baird, S. (2005). Identifying early indicators for autism self-regulation difficulties. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 20, 106–116. doi:10.1177/10883576050200020101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenspan, S. I., & DeGangi, G. (2001). Research on the FEAS: Test development, reliability, and validity studies. In S. Greenspan, G. DeGangi, & S. Wieder (Eds.), The Functional emotional assessment scale (FEAS) for infancy and early childhood: Clinical and research applications (pp. 167–247). Bethesda, MD: Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders (ICDL).

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenspan, S., DeGangi, G., & Wieder, S. (2001). The functional emotional assessment scale (FEAS) for infancy and early childhood: Clinical and research applications. Bethesda, MD: Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guédeney, N., Guédeney, A., Rabouam, C., Mintz, A., Danon, G., Huet, M. M., et al. (2003). The zero-to-three diagnostic classification: A contribution to the validation of this classification from a sample of 85 under-threes. Infant Mental Health Journal, 24, 313–336. doi:10.1002/imhj.10059.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haapsamo, H., Ebeling, H., Soini, H., Joskitt, L., Larinen, K., Penninkilampi-Kerola, V., et al. (2009). Screening infants with social and emotional problems: A pilot study of the brief infant toddler social and emotional assessment (BITSEA) in Northern Finland. International journal of circumpolar health, 68(4), 386–393. Retrieved from http://www.ijch.fi.

  • Hops, H., Davis, B., & Longoria, N. (1995). Methodological issues in direct observation: Illustrations with the Living in Familial Environments (LIFE) coding system. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 24, 193–203. doi:10.1207/s15374424jccp2402_7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huijbregts, S. C., Seguin, J. R., Zoccolillo, M., Boivin, M., & Tremblay, R. E. (2007). Associations of maternal prenatal smoking with early childhood physical aggression, hyperactivity-impulsivity, and their co-occurrence. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 35, 203–215. doi:10.1007/s10802-006-9073-4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ivanova, M. Y., Achenbach, T. M., Rescorla, L. A., Harder, V. S., Ang, R. P., Bilenberg, N., et al. (2010). Preschool psychopathology reported by parents in 23 societies: Testing the seven-syndrome model of the child behavior checklist for ages 1.5–5 (Vol. 49, pp. 1215–1224). US: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

  • Jaffe, M., Gullone, E., & Hughes, E. K. (2010). The roles of temperamental dispositions and perceived parenting behaviours in the use of two emotion regulation strategies in late childhood. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 31, 47–59. doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2009.07.008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, C., & Murray, C. (2003). Incremental validity in the psychological assessment of children and adolescents. Psychological Assessment, 15, 496–507. doi:10.1037/1040-3590.15.4.496.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Judge, S. (2003). Determinants of parental stress in families adopting children from eastern Europe. Family Relations, 52, 241–248. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3729.2003.00241.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Judge, S. (2004). The impact of early institutionalization on child and family outcomes. Adoption Quarterly, 7, 31–48. doi:10.1300/J145v07n03_02.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kagan, J. (1997). Temperament and the reactions to unfamiliarity. Child Development, 68, 139–143. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.1997.tb01931.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kapornai, K., Gentzler, A. L., Tepper, P., Kiss, E., Mayer, L., Tamas, Z., et al. (2007). Early developmental characteristics and features of major depressive disorder among child psychiatric patients in Hungary. Journal of Affective Disorders, 100, 91–101. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2006.10.002.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karabekiroglu, K., Briggs-Gowan, M. J., Carter, A. S., Rodopman-Arman, A., & Akbas, S. (2010). The clinical validity and reliability of the brief infant-toddler social and emotional assessment (BITSEA). Infant Behavior and Development, 33, 503–509. doi:10.1016/j.infbeh.2010.07.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keenan, K., & Shaw, D. S. (1994). The development of aggression in toddlers: A study of low-income families. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 22, 53–77. doi:10.1007/BF02169256.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keenan, K., & Wakschlag, L. S. (2000). More than the terrible twos: The nature and severity of behavior problems in clinic-referred preschool children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 28, 33–46. doi:10.1023/A:1005118000977.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keenan, K., & Wakschlag, L. S. (2002). Can a valid diagnosis of disruptive behavior disorder be made in preschool children? American Journal of Psychiatry, 159, 351–358. Retrieved from http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kivijarvi, M., Raiha, H., Kaljonen, A., Tamminen, T., & Piha, J. (2005). Infant temperament and maternal sensitivity behavior in the first year of life. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 46, 421–428. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9450.2005.00473.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Knapp, P. K., Ammen, S., Arstein-Kerslake, C., Poulsen, M. K., & Mastergeorge, A. (2007). Feasibility of expanding services for very young children in the public mental health setting. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 46, 152–161. doi:10.1097/01.chi.0000246058.68544.35.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Korja, R., Savonlahti, E., Ahlqvist-Bjorkroth, S., Stolt, S., Haataja, L., Lapinleimu, H., et al. (2008). Maternal depression is associated with mother-infant interaction in preterm infants. Acta Paediatrica, 97, 724–730. doi:10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.00733.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lavigne, J. V., Arend, R., Rosenbaum, D., Binns, H. J., Christoffel, K. K., & Gibbons, R. D. (1998). Psychiatric disorders with onset in the preschool years: I. Stability of diagnoses. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 37, 1246–1254. doi:10.1097/00004583-199812000-00007.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lawson, K. R., & Ruff, H. A. (2004). Early attention and negative emotionality predict later cognitive and behavioural function. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 28, 157–165. doi:10.1080/01650250344000361.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, C. L., & Bates, J. E. (1985). Mother-child interaction at age two years and perceived difficult temperament. Child Development, 56, 1314–1325. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.

  • Leerkes, E. M., Nayena Blankson, A., & O’Brien, M. (2009). Differential effects of maternal sensitivity to infant distress and nondistress on social-emotional functioning. Child Development, 80, 762–775. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01296.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leitch, D. B. (1999). Mother-infant interaction: Achieving synchrony. Nursing Research, 48, 55–58. doi:10.1097/00006199-199901000-00009.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Loeb, J., Stettler, E. M., Gavila, T., Stein, A., & Chinitz, S. (2011). The child behavior checklist PTSD scale: Screening for PTSD in young children with high exposure to trauma. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 24, 430–434. doi:10.1002/jts.20658.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Loeber, R., & Hay, D. (1997). Key issues in the development of aggression and violence from childhood to early adulthood. Annual Review of Psychology, 48, 371–410. doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.48.1.371.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Luby, J., & Morgan, K. (1997). Characteristics of an infant/preschool psychiatric clinic sample: Implications for clinical assessment and nosology. Infant Mental Health, 18, 209–220. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-0355(199722)18:2<209:AID-IMHJ9>3.0.CO;2-J.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luby, J. L., Belden, A., Sullivan, J., & Spitznagel, E. (2007). Preschoolers’ contribution to their diagnosis of depression and anxiety: Uses and limitations of young child self-report of symptoms. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 38, 321–338. doi:10.1007/s10578-007-0063-8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Madigan, S., Moran, G., Schuengel, C., Pederson, D. R., & Otten, R. (2007). Unresolved maternal attachment representations, disrupted maternal behavior and disorganized attachment in infancy: Links to toddler behavior problems. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 48, 1042–1050. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2007.01805.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martins, C., & Gaffan, E. A. (2000). Effects of early maternal depression on patterns of infant-mother attachment: A meta-analytic investigation. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 41, 737–746. doi:10.1111/1469-7610.00661.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mash, E. J., & Hunsley, J. (2005). Evidence-based assessment of child and adolescent disorders: Issues and challenges. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 34, 362–379. doi:10.1207/s15374424jccp3403_1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Wilkins, J., Sevins, J. A., Knight, C., Boisjoli, J. A., & Sharp, B. (2009). Reliability and item content of the baby and infant screen for children with aUtIsm traits (BISCUIT): Parts 1–3. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3, 336–344. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2008.08.001.

  • Matson, J. L., Fodstad, J. C., Mahan, S., & Rojahn, J. (2010). Cut-offs, norms and patterns of problem behaviours in children with developmental disabilities on the baby and infant screen for children with aUtIsm traits (BISCUIT-part 3). Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 13, 3–9. doi:10.3109/17518420903074887.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matson, J. L., Boisjoli, J. A., Hess, J. A., & Wilkins, J. (2011). Comorbid psychopathology factor structure on the baby and infant screen for children with aUtIsm traits—part 2 (BISCUIT-part 2). Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5, 426–432. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2010.06.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCain, A. P., Kelley, M. L., & Fishbein, J. (1999). Behavioral screening in well-child care: Validation of the Toddler Behavior Screening Inventory. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 24, 415–422. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/24.5.415.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mian, N. D., Wainwright, L., Briggs-Gowan, M. J., & Carter, A. S. (2011). An ecological risk model for early childhood anxiety: The importance of early child symptoms and temperament. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 39, 501–512. doi:10.1007/s10802-010-9476-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Minde, K., & Tidmarsh, L. (1997). The changing practices of an infant psychiatry program: The McGill experience. Infant Mental Health Journal, 18, 135–184. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-0355(199722)18:2<135:AID-IMHJ3>3.0.CO;2-O.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mouton-Simien, P., McCain, A. P., & Kelley, M. L. (1997). The development of the toddler behavior screening inventory. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 25, 59–64. doi:10.1023/A:1025759408417.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Munson, L., & Odom, S. (1996). Review of rating scales that measure parent-infant interaction. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 16, 1–25. doi:10.1177/027112149601600104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murray, D. W. (2010). Treatment of preschoolers with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Current psychiatry reports, 12, 374–381. doi:10.1007/s11920-010-0142-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nixon, R. D. (2002). Treatment of behavior problems in preschoolers: A review of parent training programs. Clinical Psychology Review, 22, 525–546. doi:10.1016/S0272-7358(01)00119-2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pickles, A., & Angold, A. (2003). Natural categories or fundamental dimensions: On carving nature at the joints and the rearticulation of psychopathology. Development and Psychopathology, 15, 529–551. doi:10.1017/S0954579403000282.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Putnam, S. P., Gartstein, M. A., & Rothbart, M. K. (2006). Measurement of fine-grained aspects of toddler temperament: The early childhood behavior questionnaire. Infant Behavior and Development, 29, 386–401. doi:10.1016/j.infbeh.2006.01.004.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Putnam, S. P., Rothbart, M. K., & Garstein, M. A. (2008). Homotypic and heterotypic continuity of fine-grained temperament during infancy, toddlerhood, and early childhood. Infant and Child Development, 17, 387–405. doi:10.1002/ICD.582.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reeb-Sutherland, B. C., Helfinstein, S. M., Degnan, K. A., Perez-Edgar, K., Henderson, H. A., Lissek, S., et al. (2009). Startle response in behaviorally inhibited adolescents with a lifetime occurrence of anxiety disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 48, 610–617. doi:10.1097/CHI.0b013e31819f70fb.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rescorla, L. A. (2005). Assessment of young children using the Achenbach system of empirically based assessment (ASEBA). Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Review, 11, 226–237. doi:10.1002/mrdd.20071.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rothbart, M. K., & Posner, M. I. (2006). Temperament, attention, and developmental psychopathology. In D. Cicchetti & D. J. Cohen (Eds.), Developmental psychopathology (Vol. 2: Developmental neuroscience, pp. 465–501). Hoboken: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salomonsson, B., & Sleed, M. (2010). The ages and stages questionnaire: Social—emotional: A validation study of a mother-report questionnaire on a clinical mother—infant sample. Infant Mental Health Journal, 31, 412–431. doi:10.1002/imhj.20263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schiffman, R. F., Omar, M. A., & McKelvey, L. M. (2003). Mother-infant interaction in low-income families. MCN. The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, 28, 246–251. doi:10.1097/00005721-200307000-00008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seifer, R., Sameroff, A. J., Barrett, L. C., & Krafchuk, E. (1994). Infant temperament measured by multiple observations and mother report. Child Development, 65, 1478–1490. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7982363.

  • Shaw, D. S., Gilliom, M., Ingoldsby, E. M., & Nagin, D. S. (2003). Trajectories leading to school-age conduct problems. Developmental Psychology, 39, 189–200. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.39.2.189.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, D. S., Dishion, T. J., Supplee, L., Gardner, F., & Arnds, K. (2006). Randomized trial of a family-centered approach to the prevention of early conduct problems: 2-year effects of the family check-up in early childhood. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74, 1–9. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.74.1.1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sheese, B. E., Voelker, P. M., Rothbart, M. K., & Posner, M. I. (2007). Parenting quality interacts with genetic variation in dopamine receptor D4 to influence temperament in early childhood. Development and Psychopathology, 19, 1039–1046. doi:10.1017/S0954579407000521.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shivers, E. M. (2008). Using the emotional availability scales along the child care continuum. Journal of Early Childhood and Infant Psychology, 4, 27–37. Retrived from http://www.pace.edu/about-us/pace-publisher/journals/journal-of-early-childhood-and-infant-psychology.

  • Skovgaard, A. M., Houmann, T., Christiansen, E., Landorph, S., Jorgensen, T., Olsen, E. M., et al. (2007). The prevalence of mental health problems in children 1(1/2) years of age—the Copenhagen child cohort 2000. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 48, 62–70. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2006.01659.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Skovgaard, A. M., Olsen, E. M., Christiansen, E., Houmann, T., Landorph, S. L., & Jorgensen, T. (2008). Predictors (0–10 months) of psychopathology at age 11/2 years—a general population study in the Copenhagen child cohort CCC 2000. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 49, 553–562. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2007.01860.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Skreitule-Pikse, I., Sebre, S., & Lubenko, J. (2010). Child behavior and mother-child emotional availability in response to parent training program: Moderators of outcome. Social and Behavioral Sciences, 5, 1418–1424. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.07.299.

  • Smeekens, S., Riksen-Walraven, J. M., & van Bakel, H. J. (2007). Multiple determinants of externalizing behavior in 5-year-olds: A longitudinal model. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 35, 347–361. doi:10.1007/s10802-006-9095-y.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sparrow, S. S., Balla, D. A., & Cicchetti, D. V. (1998). Social-emotional early childhood scales. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.

    Google Scholar 

  • Squires, J. K. (2000). Indentifying social/emotional and behavioral problems in infants and toddlers. Infant-Toddler Intervention: The Transdisciplinary Journal, 10, 107–119. Retrieved from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-37820783.html.

  • Squires, J., Bricker, D., Heo, K., & Twombly, E. (2001). Identification of social-emotional problems in young children using a parent-completed screening measure. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 16, 405–419. doi:10.1016/S0885-2006(01)00115-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Squires, J., Bricker, D., & Twombly, E. (2002). The Ages and stages questionnaires: Social-emotional. A parent-completed, child-monitoring system for social-emotional behaviors. Baltimore: Brookes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stifter, C. A., & Wiggins, C. N. (2004). Assessment of disturbances in emotion regulation and temperament. In R. DelCamen-Wiggins & A. S. Carter (Eds.), Handbook of infant, toddler, and preschool mental health assessment (pp. 79–103). Oxford: New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sumner, G., & Spietz, A. (1994). Caregiver/parent-child interaction teaching manual. Seattle: NCAST Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tandon, M., Cardeli, E., & Luby, J. (2009). Internalizing disorders in early childhood: A review of depressive and anxiety disorders. Child and adolescent psychiatric clinics of North America, 18, 593–610. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2009.03.004.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tomlinson, P. S., Harbaugh, B. L., & Anderson, K. H. (1996). Children’s temperament at 3 months and 6 years old: Stability, reliability, and measurement issues. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, 19, 33–47. Retrieved from http://informahealthcare.com.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trapolini, T., McMahon, C. A., & Ungerer, J. A. (2007). The effect of maternal depression and marital adjustment on young children’s internalizing and externalizing behaviour problems. Child Care, Health and Development, 33, 794–803. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2007.00739.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tremblay, R. E., Japel, C., Perusse, D., Boivin, M., Zoccolillo, M., Montplaisir, J., et al. (1999). The search for the age of ‘onset’ of physical aggression: Rousseau and Bandura revisited. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 9, 8–23. doi:10.1002/cbm.288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tremblay, R. E., Nagin, D. S., Seguin, J. R., Zoccolillo, M., Zelazo, P. D., Boivin, M., et al. (2004). Physical aggression during early childhood: Trajectories and predictors. Pediatrics, 114, e43–e50. doi:10.1542/peds.114.1.e43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van Zeijl, J., Mesman, J., Stolk, M. N., Alink, L. R., van Ijzendoorn, M. H., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J., et al. (2006). Terrible ones? Assessment of externalizing behaviors in infancy with the child behavior checklist. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 47, 801–810. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2006.01616.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van Zeijl, J., Mesman, J., Stolk, M. N., Alink, L. R., van Ijzendoorn, M. H., Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J., et al. (2007). Differential susceptibility to discipline: The moderating effect of child temperament on the association between maternal discipline and early childhood externalizing problems. Journal of Family Psychology, 21, 626–636. doi:10.1037/0893-3200.21.4.626.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wakschlag, L. S., Briggs-Gowan, M. J., Hill, C., Danis, B., Leventhal, B. L., Keenan, K., et al. (2008a). Observational assessment of preschool disruptive behavior, part II: Validity of the disruptive behavior diagnostic observation schedule (DB-DOS). Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 47, 632–641. doi:10.1097/CHI.0b013e31816c5bdb.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wakschlag, L. S., Hill, C., Carter, A. S., Danis, B., Egger, H. L., Keenan, K., et al. (2008b). Observational assessment of preschool disruptive behavior, part I: Reliability of the disruptive behavior diagnostic observation schedule (DB-DOS). Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 47, 622–631. doi:10.1097/CHI.0b013e31816c5c10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weitzman, C. C., & Leventhal, J. M. (2006). Screening for behavioral health problems in primary care. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 18, 641–648. doi:10.1097/MOP.0b013e3280108292.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wolraich, M. L., Felice, M. E., & Drotar, D. (Eds.). (1996). The classification of child and adolescent mental diagnosis in primary care: Diagnostic and statistical manual for primary care (DSM-PC) child and adolescent version. Elk Grove, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeanah, C. H. (Ed.). (2009). Handbook of infant mental health (3rd ed.). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zero to Three (1994). Diagnostic classification: 0–3. Diagnostic classification of mental health and developmental disorders of infancy and early childhood. Arlington, VA: Author.

  • Zero to Three. (2005). Diagnostic classification of mental health and developmental disorders of infancy and early childhood: Revised edition. Washington, DC: Zero to Three Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ziv, Y., Gini, M., Guttman, S., & Sagi, A. (1997). Dyadic emotional availability and qualify of infant-mother attachment: A three-point longitudinal study. Paper presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Washington, DC.

Download references

Acknowledgment

This work was supported by National Institute of Mental Health career development award K23 MH085659 (D.M.B.).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Florida International University, 11200 S.W. 8th St., AHS I, Room 241, Miami, FL, 33199, USA

    Daniel M. Bagner, Gabriela M. Rodríguez, Clair A. Blake & Dainelys Linares

  2. University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, USA

    Alice S. Carter

Authors
  1. Daniel M. Bagner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gabriela M. Rodríguez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Clair A. Blake
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Dainelys Linares
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Alice S. Carter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daniel M. Bagner.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bagner, D.M., Rodríguez, G.M., Blake, C.A. et al. Assessment of Behavioral and Emotional Problems in Infancy: A Systematic Review. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 15, 113–128 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-012-0110-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-012-0110-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation