Social information processing and coping strategies of shy/withdrawn and aggressive children: does friendship matter?
The primary objectives of this investigation were to examine the attributions, emotional reactions, and coping strategies of shy/withdrawn and aggressive girls and boys and to examine whether such social cognitions differ within the relationship context of friendship. Drawn from a sample of fifth and sixth graders (M age = 10.79 years; SD = .77), 78 shy/withdrawn, 76 aggressive, and 85 control children were presented with hypothetical social situations that first involved unfamiliar peers, and then a mutual good friend. Results revealed group and gender differences and similarities, depending on the relationship context. From our findings emerges a central message: friends' involvement during interpersonal challenges or stressors mitigates children's attributions, emotions, and coping responses.
Burgess
Kim B
KB
University of Maryland at College Park, MD, USA. kburgess@pediatricpsychologycenter.org
Wojslawowicz
Julie C
JC
Rubin
Kenneth H
KH
Rose-Krasnor
Linda
L
Booth-LaForce
Cathryn
C
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes; D011594:Psychometrics; D012792:Shyness; D012918:Social Alienation; D012938:Social Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires