Abstract
The present study examines two childhood markers of self-regulation, ego control and ego resiliency, as promotive factors for the development of global adjustment and as risk factors for the development of internalizing and externalizing behavior problems in a high-risk sample. Teachers and observers rated ego control and ego resiliency when participants (n = 136) were in preschool and elementary school. Ratings showed evidence for convergent and discriminant validity and stability over time. Ego resiliency, but not ego control, emerged as a powerful predictor of adaptive functioning at ages 19 and 26, as well as internalizing and externalizing problems at 16, 23, 26, and 32 years. We interpret these findings as evidence that flexibility and adaptability-measured with ego resiliency-may reduce risk and promote successful adaptation in low socioeconomic status (SES) environments.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 293-302 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | International Journal of Behavioral Development |
Volume | 36 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Behavior problems
- Ego control
- Ego resiliency
- Externalizing problems
- High-risk sample
- Internalizing problems
- Longitudinal study
- Promotive factor
- Risk factor
- Self-regulation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
- Education
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Life-span and Life-course Studies