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Affective Dynamics and Mean Levels of Preschool Irritability and Sadness: Predictors of Children’s Psychological Functioning Two Years Later

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Abstract

Although irritability and sadness are cardinal symptoms of depression, they are also common in preschoolers. The daily experiences of these emotions are not well-understood during early childhood, yet may provide insight into identification of early depressive symptoms. The current longitudinal study examined daily mean levels and emotion dynamics of preschool-aged children’s irritability and sadness and psychiatric outcomes in early school-age. Parents (n = 291) completed 14 consecutive daily diaries about their preschoolers’ emotions. Two years later, parents (n = 164) completed a semi-structured clinical interview and questionnaires about their children’s psychological functioning. Strong correlations between mean and dynamic measures (rs = 0.65–0.91) were identified. Preschoolers’ mean daily levels and dynamics of irritability (variability, instability, inertia) and sadness (instability, inertia) predicted symptoms and impairment 2 years later. Sadness instability and inertia continued to predict difficulties after adjusting for mean daily sadness. Fine-grained daily measures of preschoolers’ affect may be help identify children at-risk for psychological problems.

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Funding

This research was supported by the University of Maryland (UMD) College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Dean’s Research Initiative Award (LRD), the UMD Research and Scholars Award (LRD), the California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) Grant Proposal Seed Money Award (SJB), the CSUSM University Professional Development Award (SJB), and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (ECF). We are indebted to the families and staff who made this study possible.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA

    Emma Chad-Friedman, Katherine A. Leppert & Lea R. Dougherty

  2. Temple University, Philadelphia, USA

    Thomas M. Olino

  3. University of Louisville, Louisville, USA

    Sara J. Bufferd

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  1. Emma Chad-Friedman
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  2. Katherine A. Leppert
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Correspondence to Lea R. Dougherty.

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Chad-Friedman, E., Leppert, K.A., Olino, T.M. et al. Affective Dynamics and Mean Levels of Preschool Irritability and Sadness: Predictors of Children’s Psychological Functioning Two Years Later. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 53, 244–255 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-021-01121-w

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