Positive and negative peer interaction in 3- and 4-year-olds in relation to regulation and dysregulation.
Using a sample from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care (N = 435; 219 girls), the authors derived several measures of regulation and dysregulation that predicted, both concurrently and longitudinally, children's positive and negative peer interactions in multiple contexts. Observers rated peer interactions in child care and during dyadic play with a friend, and mothers rated peer behavior. The authors based the derived measures on resistance to temptation (36 months) and delay of gratification (54 months) tasks, as well as observations in child care of children's compliance and defiance with adults at both ages and maternal reports. Preschoolers who had better impulse control and who were more compliant and less defiant with adults engaged more often in friendly, positive, peer play and were less negative in their peer play across contexts. Associations between regulation and dysregulation and peer interaction were broader and more consistent at 54 months than at 36 months. Longitudinally, regulation at 36 months was only modestly associated with more positive and less negative peer play at 54 months. The authors discuss findings in the context of developing self-regulation and its importance for early peer relationships.
Ramani
Geetha B
GB
University of Maryland, Department of Human Development, 3304 Benjamin Building, College Park, MD 20742, USA. gramani@umd.edu
Brownell
Celia A
CA
Campbell
Susan B
SB
D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D000786:Anger; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010553:Personality Development; D010988:Play and Playthings; D011594:Psychometrics; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D012951:Socialization