title: Multidimensional latent-construct analysis of children's social information processing patterns: correlations with aggressive behavior problems.
abstract: Social information processing (SIP) patterns were conceptualized in orthogonal domains of process and context and measured through responses to hypothetical vignettes in a stratified sample of 387 children (50% boys; 49% minority) from 4 geographical sites followed from kindergarten through 3rd grade. Multidimensional, latent-construct, confirmatory factor analyses supported the within-construct internal consistency, cross-construct discrimination, and multidimensionality of SIP patterns. Contrasts among nested structural equation models indicated that SIP constructs significantly predicted children's aggressive behavior problems as measured by later teacher reports. The findings support the multidimensional construct validity of children's social cognitive patterns and the relevance of SIP patterns in children's aggressive behavior problems.
authors.affiliation: Center for Child and Family Policy, Box 90264, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA. Kenneth.Dodge@duke.edu
authors.forename: Kenneth A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Dodge
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laird
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lochman
authors.forename: Arnaldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zelli
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012938:Social Perception