Continuities in maternal reports and child behaviors over time in hyperactive and comparison groups

Abstract

Maternal reports, observations of nursery and elementary school behavior, and teacher ratings of problems were available for hyperactive and control children who had participated in a longitudinal study. This paper examines consistencies in maternal reports and child behaviors over time, and their relationship to teacher ratings in elementary school. Maternal reports of infant sleep difficulties were related to maternal ratings of hyperactivity at 4 1/2 and 6 1/2 years. Maternal ratings of activity at 4 1/2 were predictive of 6 1/2-year ratings of hyperactivity and conduct problems. In addition, behavior in a research nursery at 4 1/2 predicted teacher ratings of problems and classroom behavior in grade two. Hyperactive preschoolers who left the table most during structured activities were more often out-of-seat and off-task in school. Controls who were more aggressive in the nursery were more disruptive in the classroom. These data indicate continuities in both maternal reports and child behaviors.