Preschool Behavior Problems: Stability and Factors Accounting for Change

From a sample of high risk children, groups of acting out, withdrawn, and normal preschool children were identified and followed through first, second, and third grade. A high degree of stability of developmental adaptation was found for each group. Examination of the exceptions to predicted outcomes indicated that discontinuity of development was accounted for by level and change in maternal depressive symptomatology, life circumstances, stressful life events experienced by the family, and quality of the home environment. Level of maternal depression appeared to directly affect the quality of care she provided her child, and indirectly affected the quality and organization of the home environment.