Are children's early emotions antecedents to risk taking?

PURPOSE

To explore the processes by which early emotional experiences affect behavior and to investigate the use of basic development characteristics to guide primary care.

METHOD

A randomized cohort of 74 children from a wide range of socio-economic classes were followed from infancy until 54 months of age. Children were assessed at 2 days, 12, 18 and 54 months by laboratory tests and maternal report.

RESULTS

The personality characteristic of inhibition/shyness appeared to be an enduring trait from infancy through the preschool years. However, findings did not support the view that early personality variables (e.g., avidity, shyness, security) alone predict risk taking during later years.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses offering safety counseling about risk taking in order to minimize injuries during early childhood should consider personality concepts to be multi-dimensional. Infant and toddler profiles should not be considered solely predictive of later behavior.