The relationship between temperament and self-initiative behavior among preschoolers: The mediational role of cortisol reactivity

Abstract

The present study focused on preschoolers self-initiative behavior as a developmentally salient competency that leads to adaptive performance in social challenges. In particular, the study aimed to investigate the role of cortisol reactivity as a physiological mediator between preschoolers temperamental characteristics and self-initiative behavior shown in classroom environment. The following research questions were addressed:

1. Is there a correlation among temperament (extraversion, negative affectivity, effortful control), cortisol reactivity, and self-initiative behavior (goal-setting, self-practice, self-control) among 5-year-old preschoolers?

2. Does temperament (extraversion, negative affectivity, effortful control) affect cortisol reactivity and self-initiative behavior of 5-year-old preschoolers? 1) Does temperament (extraversion, negative affectivity, effortful control) affect cortisol reactivity of 5-year-old preschoolers? 2) Does temperament (extraversion, negative affectivity, effortful control) affect self-initiative behavior of 5-year-old preschoolers?

3. Does cortisol reactivity have mediating effects on the association between temperament (extraversion, negative affectivity, effortful control) and self-initiative behavior among 5-year-old preschoolers?

Participants of this study were 5-year-old preschoolers (N = 125) and their teachers (N = 13), recruited from childcare centers and kindergartens located in Seoul, Daegu, and Kyungi province of the Republic of Korea. Collected data was analyzed using the statistical analysis program, SPSS 22.0, and the following conclusions were drawn based on the major findings.

First, among the 3 dimensions of temperament, extraversion and negative affectivity displayed significant negative correlations to self-initiative behavior, whereas effortful control demonstrated a significant positive correlation with it. In the relationship between temperament and cortisol reactivity, only negative affectivity showed a significant correlation. A significant positive correlation was revealed in association between cortisol reactivity and self-initiative behavior. Second, among the 3 dimensions of temperament, negative affectivity directly influenced preschoolers cortisol reactivity and self-initiative behavior when child sex and birth order variables were controlled for. Third, preschoolers cortisol reactivity was found to partially mediate the association between temperamental negative affectivity and self-initiative behavior.

The current study investigated a structural relationship among 5-year-old preschoolers temperament, cortisol reactivity and self-initiative behavior. Results revealed that individual variations in children temperament differentiate physiological stress responsivity, which ultimately function to shape differential execution of self-initiative behavior. Specifically, stronger tendencies toward negative affects in preschoolers lower the physiological responsivity through diminished cortisol reactivity, and the declined responsivity subsequently reduces the display of self-initiative behavior. This research proposes a positive perspective on the activation of the stress response system with further exploration of the beneficial effects of such characteristics on preschoolers self-initiative behavior.