1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« The purpose of the present study was to document the predictive validity of repeated parental ratings to define developmental trajectories of hyperactive–impulsive behaviors during the preschool years. Specifically, the goals were (1) to establish the developmental trajectories for both mother and father ratings of hyperactive–impulsive behaviors in preschool in order to examine their predictive validity with respect to later teacher-rated hyperactive–impulsive behaviors in the first 2 years of school and (2) to estimate the cumulated added value of repeated assessment over time and that of father ratings over mother ratings. » (p. 3)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
« A population-based sample of twins was recruited [...] in the greater Montreal area to participate in the Quebec Newborn Twin Study (QNTS). [...] A total of 1112 twins (565 boys and 547 girls) were assessed through parent ratings when they were 19 months [...], 1,042 twins were assessed when they were 32 months [...], 880 twins when they were 50 months [...], and 875 when they were 63 months [...]. Then, they were followed and assessed as they entered school: a total of 744 twins participated when they were in kindergarten [...] and 792 twins participated in first grade [...]. » (p. 3)

Instruments :
A questionnaire « derived from the Social Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ; Tremblay et al. 1991)» was used to measure hyperactive-Impulsive behaviors and inattention and physical aggression. (p. 4)

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

« The objectives of this study were to establish the different developmental trajectories of hyperactive–impulsive behaviors on the basis of both mother and father ratings at 19, 32, 50, and 63 months, and to examine the predictive validity of these trajectories with respect to later hyperactive– impulsive behaviors, as rated by teachers in the first 2 years of school. Hyperactive–impulsive behaviors were assessed in a population-based sample of 1,112 twins (565 boys and 547 girls) at 19, 32, 50, and 63 months of age. The results revealed a differentiated and consistent view of developmental trajectories of hyperactive–impulsive behaviors derived from these repeated assessments, with 7.1% of children seen by mothers (7% for fathers) as displaying high and stable hyperactive–impulsive behaviors. According to mother ratings, children on a high-chronic trajectory were more likely than other children to display hyperactive– impulsive behaviors at 72 and 84 months according to their teachers. Repeated measures over time and father-based trajectories significantly added to the prediction teacher later ratings of hyperactive–impulsive behaviors. These results support the predictive validity of parental assessment of hyperactive–impulsive behaviors during the preschool years and their use to identify children at risk for further evaluation and possible intervention. » (p. 1)