Controlo inibitório e competências interpessoais aos 2 e 5 anos de idade

Abstract

The present study examines the level of Inhibitory Control present in children between the ages of 2 and 5, with the aims of verifying the influence of Inhibitory Control on Interpersonal Skills over time and whether this is different for girls and boys. The sample was collected in a daycare center, as part of the Quality Matters* project (2017-2019), in which 258 children (124 girls and 134 boys) participated initially and 85 children (35 girls and 50 boys) participated three years after the first data collection. To evaluate Inhibitory Control, the direct PSRA measure was used (Smith-Donald et al., 2007), whose tasks were "Wrap" and "Peek". To assess Interpersonal Skills, educators reported by completing the CBRS (Cadima et al., 2016), at both times. The study showed that children, at age 2, exhibit moderate levels of Inhibitory Control. There were statistically significant and positive correlations between Inhibitory Control and Interpersonal Skills, however the correlation ceases to be statistically significant when age was controlled in the analyses. Age thus reveals itself to be a central aspect for Interpersonal Skills and Inhibitory Control. Regarding gender differences, differences were observed, with an association between inhibitory control and personal skills in boys, but not in girls. This difference, however, only occurred at 2 years of age, whereas at 5 years of age this does not occur. Finally, the stability in Interpersonal Skills was notable at 2 years of age and, later, at 5 years of age.