Inhibited and uninhibited temperament in children from 24 to 35 months of age and its associations with family environment and domestic violence against children

Abstract

Risk groups, by definition, would be individuals at higher risk to develop mental health problems and may serve as a focus for preventive intervention programs, increasing cost-effectiveness. There is not enough scientific information to identify children up to 3 years old at higher risk for mental health problems. Inhibited (consistently shy, quiet and timid) and disinhibited behaviors (impulsive, seeking for novelty, etc.) correlate respectively with the development of social anxiety and, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders / conduct disorders / emotional disorders, at school age. Objective: To determine the prevalence of inhibited and disinhibited temperaments in 24 to 35 months of age children and the association with family environment and domestic violence to the child. Method: A longitudinal epidemiological study to investigate 300 mothers and their children between 24 and 35 months of age who take part of a cohort study in the west zone of São Paulo (Process Cap no 573974/2008-0; FAPESP no 2008/57896-8) trough observational and interview measures as well as home visiting assessments for family environment and domestic violence against the child. Expected results: Prevalence rates for inhibited and disinhibited temperaments in a sample of kids from São Paulo city and the association with risk factors will be obtained, leading to the delimitation of risk groups for preventive interventions. (AU)