Consistency and Change in Children\u27s Emotionality and Regulation: A Longitudinal Study

Using a longitudinal data set of children aged 4--6,6-8,8-10, and 10-12, consistency and change in teachers\u27 and parents\u27 reports of emotionality and regulation were examined. In general, there was considerable interindividual (correlational) consistency in emotionality and regulation, with attentional control increasing in consistency over time. Intensity of emotion (and parent-reported negative emotionality) and girls\u27 impulsivity decreased in mean level with age whereas regulation (particularly behavioral regulation) increased over time. The findings generally were consistent with developmental trends discussed, but not often demonstrated longitudinally, in the developmental literature