title: Self-representations and socioemotional competence in young children: a 3-year longitudinal study.
abstract: In a longitudinal study, the connections between children's self-representations at age 5 and their self-perceptions, socioemotional competence according to the teacher, and peer acceptance at age 8 were examined. The sample consisted of 60 children (33 boys, 27 girls). Self-representations at age 5 were assessed by the Puppet Interview (J. Cassidy, 1988). Results generally revealed the expected connections between the positiveness of self at age 5 and self-perceptions and socioemotional functioning 3 years later. These findings support the predictive validity of the Puppet Interview. Moreover, they suggest that young children do possess at least a rudimentary sense of being generally worthy and lovable, which can be assessed by using adequate, age-appropriate interviews.
authors.affiliation: Center for Developmental Psychology, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. Karine.Verschueren@psy.kuleuven.ac.be
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Verschueren
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Buyck
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marcoen
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001530:Belgium; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment