Aggression and withdrawal related behavior within conflict management progression in preschool boys with language impairment.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined conflict behavior in naturalistic preschool settings to better understand the role of non-affiliative behavior and language in conflict management.


METHODS
Free-play at preschool was filmed among 20 boys with typically developing language (TL) and among 11 boys with Language Impairment (LI); the boys 4-7 years old. Conflict behavior was coded and analyzed with a validated system. Post-conflict non-affiliative behavior (aggression and withdrawal) displays, and the links between the displays and reconciliation (i.e., former opponents exchange friendly behavioral shortly after conflict termination) was examined.


RESULTS
Group comparisons revealed boys with LI displayed aggression in a smaller share of conflicts, but exhibited [Symbol: see text]active' withdrawal (left the room), in a larger conflict share. Boys with TL overcame aggression (more common TL behavior) and after reconciled, to a greater extent than the boys with LI after active withdrawal (more common LI behavior). Also, after reciprocal or only verbal aggression, boys with LI reconciled to a lesser extent than boys with TL.


CONCLUSIONS
The boys with LI demonstrated difficulties confronting conflict management, as well as concluding emotionally heightened and aggressive behavioral turns.
Horowitz
Laura
L
Karolinska Institutet, Department of Woman and Child Health, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit, Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden. laurie.horowitz@ki.se
Westlund
Karolina
K
Ljungberg
Tomas
T
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D018187:Personal Construct Theory; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011340:Problem Solving; D012919:Social Behavior; D012934:Social Isolation