# DEVELOPMENTAL TRENDS IN INFANT TEMPERAMENT

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE · 1994 · $329,795

## Abstract

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from the Applicant's Abstract):  This proposal
continues  a multimethod longitudinal appraisal of infant temperament and
potential  correlates, such as family environment and parent personality,
using a sample  of twins studied from birth through 30 months of age.
Infant twins offer a  powerful resource for detecting genetically based
similarities and differences  for both level and stability of
temperament.  Twins also provide an opportunity to detect specific
contributions of family environment to both  level and stability of
temperament.

The principal goals of the current proposal are: 1) Finish recruiting
newborn  twin pairs who will be repeatedly assessed through 30 months of
age using the  instruments described below; 2) Finish assessment of twin
pairs who are currently being assessed; 3) Rescore previously obtained
videotapes of twin  performance during the laboratory procedures used to
assess temperament; and  4) Provide further evidence on the validity of
a nurses rating survey of  neonatal temperament.  The ultimate goal of
the project is to analyze the data  collected for the full sample of 280
twin pairs, using multitrait, multimethod  genetic analysis.  Questions
to be answered by this analysis include the  origins, degree and sources
of intraage variability and interage stability of  temperament, as well
as the interrelation of genetic and environmental factors  in the
development of temperament.

Temperament measures include assessment of neonatal irritability,
reactivity  and developmental status; direct observation of temperament
related behaviors  during standardized testing in a structured laboratory
situation for seven  assessments from 3 through 30 months; parent ratings
on standard temperament  questionnaires including the Carey Scales and
Rothbart Infant Behavior  Questionnaire, as well as Infant Behavior
ratings obtained during mental  testing.  Environmental measures include
a newly developed CHAOS scale, the  FES scales, as well as direct
observations at 7 and 30 months using codes  derived from current
environmental assessment techniques.  Parent personality  is assessed
using several parent report measures.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2198618
- **Project number:** 2R01HD022637-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** E1KJM4T54MK6
- **Principal Investigator:** ADAM P MATHENY
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $329,795
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1987-02-01 → 1997-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2198618

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2198618, DEVELOPMENTAL TRENDS IN INFANT TEMPERAMENT (2R01HD022637-08). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2198618. Licensed CC0.

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