Abstract:  Externalizing problem behaviors (EPB) refer to child’s negative outward reactions to the external environment. Previous research suggests that the onset of showing EPB starts from eight-month-old infant. EPB, including displaying anger/tantrum, noncompliance/defiance, aggression, destructive behaviors, hyperactivity and inattentive behaviors, may be explained by early life experiences and gene-environmental interactions. Moreover, using the perspective of differential susceptibility theory, the intervention for EPB can be tailored to infants with specific temperamental characteristics and vulnerable genes. The present literature review also proposed future directions to improve the limitations in the research field.

Key words: infant, externalizing problem behaviors, occurrence, manifestation, cause