Neglect and Behavior Problems in Early Childhood: A Test of Indirect Effects Through Emotion Knowledge

Neglected children are at-risk for behavior problems, although the processes by which such problems develop are poorly understood. We examined whether Emotion Knowledge (EK) mediated the relationship between neglect and young children's behavior problems. In a community sample (N = 127), neglect history was assessed at 4.0 years using Child Protective Services records (44% neglected); at 4.5 years children completed an EK assessment (expression recognition; expression labeling; and situational knowledge); and at 6- to 7-years teachers rated children's behavior problems on the Teacher Report Form. Neglect predicted greater total behavior problems (r = .227, p =.035), while the EK composite predicted fewer total behavior problems (r =-.383, p <.001). Neglect did not predict EK (r =-.162, p =.069) nor were indirect effects significant at the 95% credible interval in Bayesian mediation models. While significant mediation was not identified, findings suggest that early screening of EK skills and implementation of interventions to enhance such skills could help to prevent the onset or worsening of behavior problems among young children.