The epidemiology of observed temperament: Factor structure and demographic group differences.

摘要: This study investigated the factor structure of observational indicators children's temperament that were collected across first three years life in Family Life Project (N=1205) sample. A four-factor model (activity level, fear, anger, regulation), which corresponded broadly to Rothbart's distinction between reactivity and regulation, provided an acceptable fit observed data. Tests measurement invariance demonstrated a majority exhibited comparable properties for male vs. female, black white, poor not-poor children, improved generalizability these results. Unadjusted demographic group comparisons revealed small moderate sized differences (Cohen ds=|.23-.42|) temperamental large ds=-.64--.97) regulation. Collectively, variables explained more variation regulation (R(2)=.25) than (R(2)=.02-.06). Follow-up analyses race substantially diminished magnitude better accounted by poverty. These results help validate using indicators.