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AbstractAltered patterns of facial expression recognition (FER) have been linked to internalizing and externalizing problems in school children and adolescents. In a large sample of preschoolers (N = 727), we explored concurrent and prospective associations between internalizing/externalizing problems and FER. Internalizing/externalizing problems were rated by parents at 18 and 36 months using the Child Behavior Checklist. FER was assessed at 36 months using age‐appropriate computer tasks of emotion matching and emotion labeling. Internalizing problems were associated with emotion‐specific differences at both ages: at 18 months they predicted more accurate labeling of sadness; at 36 months they were associated with less accurate labeling of happiness and anger. Externalizing problems at both ages were associated with general FER deficits, particularly for matching emotions. Findings suggest that in preschoolers, internalizing problems contribute to emotion‐specific differences in FER, while externalizing problems are associated with more general FER deficits. Knowledge of the specific FER patterns associated with internalizing/externalizing problems can be proven useful in the refinement of emotion‐centered preventive interventions.

AbstractPast research has demonstrated associations between parental personality traits and children's behaviour. However, fathers have been largely excluded from this research, and mothers often rate both their own personality and their child's behaviour, contributing to shared method variance. This study contributes to the literature by examining associations between parental biologically based affective personality traits, analysed separately for mothers and fathers, and seven‐ and eight‐year‐old children's self‐reported internalising and externalising behaviours. Data were analysed for 272 mother‐child dyads and 208 father‐child dyads. A series of multiple linear regressions was utilised to test associations between mothers' and fathers' traits of ANGER, SADNESS, FEAR, PLAY, SEEKING and CARE, assessed using the Affective Neuroscience Personality Scales (ANPS), and children's self‐reported internalising and externalising behaviours, assessed using the Berkeley Puppet Interview. Results revealed that higher ANPS ANGER scores amongst mothers were associated with more externalising behaviours in boys. Mothers with higher scores on SEEKING had sons with lower scores on externalising behaviours, while mothers with higher PLAY scores had sons with lower scores on internalising behaviours. Fathers with higher ANPS SADNESS scores had children with greater internalising behaviours, while fathers with greater FEAR traits had children with lower internalising behaviours. Indirect associations through harsh or positive parenting were not significant. Findings demonstrated that ANPS traits of ANGER, PLAY and SEEKING for mothers and FEAR and SADNESS for fathers are associated with children's self‐reported externalising and internalising behaviours. This study adds to the literature on biologically based parental affective personality and children's internalising and externalising behaviours.