The role of learning to read in the development of problem behaviour: a cross-lagged longitudinal study.

Full Abstract

BACKGROUND:
This study investigates the posited relationship between learning to read, and internalizing and externalizing problem behaviours, during the transition from preschool to primary school.

METHODS:
A total of 196 (104 boys, 92 girls) children participating in the Jyväskylä Entrance into Primary School (JEPS) study were followed up six times during their transition from preschool to primary school. At each measurement, the children's reading performance was tested. Moreover, their internalizing and externalizing problem behaviour was examined by means of structured interviews.

RESULTS:
The results showed that problems in reading acquisition predicted an increase in internalizing problem behaviour during the preschool year and first grade, whereas during the second grade they were associated with an increase in subsequent externalizing problem behaviour. Moreover, from preschool to the beginning of the primary school internalizing problem behaviour predicted subsequent externalizing problem behaviour. Later on during the first and the second primary school years, it was externalizing problem behaviour that predicted an increase in internalizing problem behaviour.

CONCLUSIONS:
The results of this study suggested that difficulties in learning to read, and internalizing and externalizing problem behaviours are developmentally linked in a cumulative manner.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Halonen, Anne (A); Aunola, Kaisa (K); Ahonen, Timo (T); Nurmi, Jari-Erik (JE);

Affiliation: University of Jyväskylä, Finland. anne.halonen(-atsign-)ksktt.fi

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: The British journal of educational psychology (Br J Educ Psychol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Sep; vol 76 (issue Pt 3) : pp 517-34

Dates: Created 2006/09/06; Completed 2006/10/26; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 16953960, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Child
Child Behavior Disorders - psychology
Child Language
Child, Preschool
Female
Finland

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.