Steven M. Alessandri

Attention, play, and social behavior in ADHD preschoolers

We investigated attention, play and nonplay behavior in preschool children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a matched control group of non-ADHD children. Forty 4- to 5-year-old children (20 ADHD and 20 matched control) participated. Across a 6-week-period, childrens social and play interactions as well as nonplay behaviors were videotaped in the classroom. Videotape recordings were analyzed for the level of attention, cognitive play, and social participation. In addition, childrens level of attention and cooperative behavior were observed during two group activities. Findings indicated that ADHD, relative to non-ADHD, children engaged in less overall play and greater functional or sensorimotor play. ADHD children also engaged in more transitional behavior, were less competent with peers, and were less attentive and cooperative during group activities.

Play and social behavior in maltreated preschoolers.

This study investigates play and nonplay behavior in maltreated and nonmaltreated preschool children. In addition, standardized tests of cognitive and language ability were administered, and teachers rated the childrens classroom behavior. Thirty 4–5-year-old children participated in the study: 15 had a history of child abuse, and 15 nonabused children served as a matched control group. Across a 6-week period, childrens social and play interactions were videotaped in the classroom. Videotape recordings were analyzed for the level of social participation and cognitive play. No differences were found between the two groups on the standardized measures. However, maltreated, relative to nonmaltreated, children engaged in less overall play and greater functional or sensorimotor play. Maltreated children also engaged in more transitional behavior and aggression, were less competent with peers, and were perceived by teachers as more emotionally disturbed. Results of this study suggest that the impact of maltreatment extends beyond the family into play and social relationships in preschool.

Characteristics of Pregnant Substance Abusers in Two Cities in the Northeast

This study examined the drug use patterns of pregnant women in two inner city sites, selected to overrepresent cocaine users. Women who used cocaine were much more likely to have used some combination of cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana in addition to cocaine during pregnancy. There was little difference in the patterns of drug use in the two study sites, Trenton, New Jersey, and northwestern Philadelphia. A number of demographic and lifestyle variables of cocaine users, soft drug users (cigarettes, alcohol, and/or marijuana), and abstainers were compared. The cocaine-using group was significantly older and had more children, had less stable and more isolated living situations, was less likely to be employed and more likely to be receiving public assistance during pregnancy, and was more likely to have a higher drug- and alcohol-using social environment and family history than soft drug users or abstainers. Of significance was that many of the high-risk lifestyle factors exhibited by cocaine users were also seen, albeit to a lesser extent, among the soft drug users. These findings have implications for the timing of intervention strategies that would be most effective.

Cognitive functioning in 8- to 18-month-old drug-exposed infants.

This study examined the cognitive functioning in 236 infants at 8 and 18 months of age. Thirty-seven infants were heavily exposed to cocaine in-utero, 30 were lightly exposed, and 169 were not exposed to cocaine. Cognitive functioning was evaluated with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (2nd ed.; N. Bayley, 1993) at both ages. Infant information processing was also assessed with an infant-controlled habituation procedure. Results indicated that (a) infants of cocaine-abusing women had higher neonatal medical and environmental risk scores; (b) at 8 months, exposure groups did not differ in Psychomotor Development Index, Mental Development Index (MDI) scores, or recovery to a novel stimulus; and (c) infants heavily exposed to cocaine or high environmental risk had a decrease in MDI scores from 8 to 18 months. These results were obtained when neonatal medical and environmental risk, as well as polydrug exposure, were controlled.

Parental Evaluation and Its Relation to Shame and Pride in Young Children.

This study examines the evaluative behavior of parents toward their young children as a function of child gender. It also examines relations between parental evaluative comments and childrens emotional behavior, specifically the expressions of shame and pride. Thirty intact, middle-class, Caucasian families and their 3-year-old children participated in the study. Dyadic interactions between each parent and child were videotaped across problem-solving situations. Transcripts were coded into categories of parent evaluative behavior and childrens emotions were scored. Findings indicated that parents used more specific and positive, rather than global or negative evaluations. Moreover, boys received more positive evaluations while girls received more negative ones. Although childrens expression of pride was not related to parental evaluative behavior, their expression of shame was related. Gender differences in parental evaluation were observed that may explain the gender differences in self-evaluation of the children themselves.

Mother-child interactional correlates of maltreated and nonmaltreated children's play behavior

This study investigates maternal interactive styles and their relation to childrens play and nonplay behaviors. Fifteen maltreated and 15 nonmaltreated preschool-aged children and their mothers were observed during a laboratory play session and during problem-solving situations. Childrens play behaviors were later videotaped in the classroom and analyzed for the level of social participation and cognitive complexity. Results indicated that maltreated mothers were less involved with their children, used fewer physical and verbal strategies to direct their childrens attention, and were more negative compared with nonmaltreated mothers. Higher levels of cognitive play were positively related to both maternal physical and verbal attention-directing behaviors, high maternal involvement, and positive affective tone. The role of maternal stimulation in childrens play development and implications for intervention programs are discussed.

Violation of Expectancy and Frustration in Early Infancy.

This study examines infant instrumental responses during learning and extinction and whether this responses are related to individual differences in temperament as reported by mothers. To explore this problem, a cross-sectional design examining behavioral responding to extinction was initiated. Thre questions were asked: 1) Does a brief period of nonreward following consistent reward lead to an increase in the learned response? 2) Is age an important factor influencing this increased in the learned response? 3) What is the relation between temperament and the infants reactivity to extinction?

Perception of the Family Environment and Intrafamilial Agreement in Belief Concerning the Adolescent

This study investigated differences in perception of the family environment between families with a child in early adolescence and those with a child in late adolescence, and the relation between those perceptions and intrafamilial agreement in belief concerning the personal characteristics of the adolescent. Forty-two families and their adolescent children were interviewed in two sessions scheduled a week apart. Interviews were based on the Family Belief Interview Schedule, which presents 15 short vignettes designed to assess parental beliefs about the child and the childs beliefs about parental beliefs. Families additionally completed the Family Environment Scale. Results indicated that (1) parents with younger adolescents perceived more conflict and less organization in the home; (2) younger adolescents perceived their families to be characterized by less conflict than did older adolescents; and (3) families high in intrafamilial agreement in belief perceived themselves to be more cohesive, organized, and controlled. Findings are interpreted within developmental and family systems perspectives.

Effects of dextroamphetamine on the cognitive and social play of a preschooler with ADHD

This study investigates how deficits in attention and impulse control are reflected in the social and cognitive play of a 4-year-old boy with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. In addition, an A-B-A-B reversal design was employed to evaluate the effectiveness of dextroamphetamine (2.5 mg, twice a day) for treatment of preschool attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The most dramatic effects of medication were observed on the level of sustained attention and the pattern of cognitive play. Sustained attention during play and in a structured group activity improved, and play became more sequentially organized and symbolic. Results are discussed with respect to the following: 1) attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and preschool play; 2) the efficacy of psychostimulant medication; and 3) the adequacy of teacher ratings versus direct observation in measuring medication response.