Conceptualizing developmental pathways to internalizing disorders in childhood.

Abstract

The development of socioemotiona l adjustment is discussed, a model is presented suggesting how internalizing difficulties develop in childhood, and findings are described which provide an initial empirical base for the model. The model postulates that socioemolional adjustment is a product of transactions between temperamental dispositions in the child, socialization experiences with parents, and certain setting conditions (environmental conditions, psychosocial resources, child- rearing beliefs and values) that affect the family. Internalizing difficulties arc most likely to develop when temperamental wariness and unfavourable setting condi- tions conspire, producing a sense of felt insecurity in the child. The internal working models associated with felt insecurity lead to social withdrawal, social skill deficits, and internalizing difficulties. In support of this developmental model, evidence is described concerning relations between temperamental hyperreactivity, insecure attachment, and socially inhibited behaviour; between social withdrawal, social skill deficits, and internalizing difficulties; and between patterns of parenting and internalizing difficulties. RESUME L'article discute du developpement de I'adaptation socio-emotionnelle. On presentc un modele qui pourrait expliquer comment les difficultes d'interiorisa- tion sc devcloppcnt au cours de l'enfance et on decrit les decouvertes qui scrvent de base empirique initiate au modele. Le modele prend pour acquis que ('adaptation dc l'enfant, les experiences dc socialisation avee les parents ct ccrtaincs conditions dc milieu (conditions cnvironncmcntalcs, rcssourccs psychosocialcs, croyanccs et valeurs en matiere de I'clevage des cnlants) qui affectcnt la famille. Ix;s difficultes d'interiorisation se developperont tres probablement lorsqu'il y a une conspiration entre un temperament mefiant et des conditions de milieu defavorables qui donneront ainsi un sens d'insecurite a l'enfant. Les modeles du processus interne associe a l'insecurite ressentie par l'enfant conduisent au retrait social, aux deficienccs en matiere de techniques sociales ct aux difficultes d'interiorisation. Pour appuyer ce modele dcveloppemental, l'article fait la relation cntrc le temperament hyperactif, la position critique de l'attachement et Ic comportement social inhibe; entre le retrait social, les deficiences en matiere de techniques sociales et les difficultes d'interiorisa- tion; et entre les modules de parents et les difficulies d'interiorisation.