Childhood Behavioral Inhibition and Overcontrol: Risk for Psychiatric and Peer Outcomes
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| Title: | Childhood Behavioral Inhibition and Overcontrol: Risk for Psychiatric and Peer Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Molly Fennig Steinhoff (ORCID |
| Source: | Developmental Psychology. 2026 62(6):1250-1262. |
| Availability: | American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 13 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (DHHS/NIH) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) (DHHS/NIH) |
| Contract Number: | K23MH115074 R01MH126984 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Child Behavior, Inhibition, Personality Traits, Anxiety, Peer Relationship, Anxiety Disorders, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Child Development |
| Geographic Terms: | Missouri (Saint Louis) |
| DOI: | 10.1037/dev0002042 |
| ISSN: | 0012-1649 1939-0599 |
| Abstract: | Behavioral inhibition (BI), a temperamental trait; the error-related negativity (ERN), a marker of performance monitoring measured via electroencephalogram; and overcontrol, a phenotype characterized by perfectionism and inflexibility, all show associations with childhood anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and social functioning. However, the independent and combined risk for psychiatric and social functioning of these factors is unknown. The present study examined how childhood BI, ERN, and overcontrol independently predict longitudinal psychiatric symptoms and peer functioning. We then examined how overcontrol may mediate the relationship between BI and longitudinal outcomes, as well as how the ERN may moderate this mediation. Caregivers completed baseline (aged 5-6 years; 48% female; 77% White) measures of BI, overcontrol, and psychiatric and peer functioning (N = 123), and children completed a go/no-go task while an electroencephalogram was collected (n = 86). Two years later, parents completed measures of psychiatric symptoms and peer functioning. Findings demonstrated only overcontrol, not BI or ERN, predicted worsening anxiety and peer relations. Overcontrol mediated the relationship between BI and longitudinal anxiety and between BI and longitudinal peer functioning. The ERN did not moderate these mediations. Findings suggest overcontrol confers risk for worsening childhood psychiatric and peer outcomes and may be an understudied mechanism linking BI to these outcomes. Therefore, early identification of the overcontrolled phenotype may be important given its direct association with an exacerbation of psychiatric and peer functioning difficulties across a 2-year period. Moreover, overcontrol may be a clinically useful and potent target for childhood psychiatric and social problems. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1505563 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Behavioral inhibition (BI), a temperamental trait; the error-related negativity (ERN), a marker of performance monitoring measured via electroencephalogram; and overcontrol, a phenotype characterized by perfectionism and inflexibility, all show associations with childhood anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and social functioning. However, the independent and combined risk for psychiatric and social functioning of these factors is unknown. The present study examined how childhood BI, ERN, and overcontrol independently predict longitudinal psychiatric symptoms and peer functioning. We then examined how overcontrol may mediate the relationship between BI and longitudinal outcomes, as well as how the ERN may moderate this mediation. Caregivers completed baseline (aged 5-6 years; 48% female; 77% White) measures of BI, overcontrol, and psychiatric and peer functioning (N = 123), and children completed a go/no-go task while an electroencephalogram was collected (n = 86). Two years later, parents completed measures of psychiatric symptoms and peer functioning. Findings demonstrated only overcontrol, not BI or ERN, predicted worsening anxiety and peer relations. Overcontrol mediated the relationship between BI and longitudinal anxiety and between BI and longitudinal peer functioning. The ERN did not moderate these mediations. Findings suggest overcontrol confers risk for worsening childhood psychiatric and peer outcomes and may be an understudied mechanism linking BI to these outcomes. Therefore, early identification of the overcontrolled phenotype may be important given its direct association with an exacerbation of psychiatric and peer functioning difficulties across a 2-year period. Moreover, overcontrol may be a clinically useful and potent target for childhood psychiatric and social problems. |
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| ISSN: | 0012-1649 1939-0599 |
| DOI: | 10.1037/dev0002042 |
