Whilst studies in young adults and adolescents have showed associations among temperamental traits and executive functioning, research on this relation in young children whose executive functions...Show moreWhilst studies in young adults and adolescents have showed associations among temperamental traits and executive functioning, research on this relation in young children whose executive functions are still in development is scarce. Temperament is often described in terms of effortful control, negative affectivity, and extraversion in young children. The current study focused on the direct relation between temperament and executive function problems in 590 preschoolers aged three to five years. The relation between temperament and inhibition problems specifically was examined as well. Age and gender were included to examine possible differences in the relation between temperament and executive functioning. Information about preschoolers’ temperament and executive functions were rated by their parents who were recruited via Dutch schools and nurseries. Parents completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function – Preschool version (BRIEF-P) as well as the Child Behavior Questionnaire – Very Short Form (CBQ-VSF). The findings demonstrated that effortful control was related with less executive function problems, although this relation was stronger for younger children. Extraversion and negative affectivity were related with more executive function problems. Within children with traits of negative affectivity, boys showed more executive function problems than girls. These children showed more inhibition problems when they were older as well. Longitudinal research is needed to consider the development of executive functioning and its relation to temperament. The relevance of these findings may contribute to a better implementation of early identification and training programs, which may lead to reducing executive function problems in children at early ageShow less
