Children's coping with in vivo peer rejection: an experimental investigation.
We examined children's behavioral coping in response to an in vivo peer rejection manipulation. Participants (N=186) ranging between 10 and 13 years of age, played a computer game based on the television show Survivor and were randomized to either peer rejection (i.e., being voted out of the game) or non-rejection control. During a five-min. post-feedback waiting period children's use of several behavioral coping strategies was assessed. Rejection elicited a marked shift toward more negative affect, but higher levels of perceived social competence attenuated the negative mood shift. Children higher in depressive symptoms were more likely to engage in passive and avoidant coping behavior. Types of coping were largely unaffected by gender and perceived social competence. Implications are discussed.
Reijntjes
Albert
A
Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. a.h.a.reijntjes@fss.uu.nl
Stegge
Hedy
H
Terwogt
Mark Meerum
MM
Kamphuis
Jan Henk
JH
Telch
Michael J
MJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012059:Rejection, Psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires