Externalizing problems and reward–punishment sensitivity: Testing within-person reciprocal associations in an elementary school sample—A replication of Ramer et al. (2024).

Temperament is closely linked to externalizing problems during adolescence, but the possible interrelationships between them remain unresolved. Reinforcement sensitivity theory proposes that sensitivity to reward modulated by the behavioral activation system (BAS), and sensitivity to punishment modulated by the behavioral inhibition system (BIS), influence how certain kinds of reinforcements shape adolescents’ behaviors. A study by Ramer et al. (2024) observed that higher levels of reward sensitivity (BAS) were associated with later increases in oppositional problems, and that elevated oppositional problems were associated with subsequent increases in BAS. In addition, lower levels of punishment sensitivity (BIS) were associated with later conduct problems, and higher levels of conduct problems were associated with subsequent decreases in BIS sensitivity. This study is a replication of Ramer et al., using a comparable Norwegian nonclinical sample of preadolescents (N = 2,147) with five annual measurement occasions. Participants were 9 years at the first data collection, with 49% girls and 94% nonimmigrants. Latent curve models with structured residuals were used to examine the reciprocal relationships between BIS/BAS and oppositional and conduct problems. We replicated associations between increased BAS sensitivity and subsequent increases in oppositional problems (i.e., vulnerability effect), and increased conduct problems with subsequent decreases in BIS sensitivity (i.e., scar effect). This could indicate that oppositional and conduct problems are influenced by different temperamental dispositions. We did not replicate oppositional problems influencing BAS sensitivity or BIS sensitivity influencing conduct problems. We discuss potential explanations for similarities and differences in results.