title: Ostracism in pediatric populations: review of theory and research.
abstract: Ostracism, ignoring and excluding a target individual, has recently emerged as one of the more common and damaging forms of social exchange. This article reviews the theoretical and empirical foundations of ostracism and its impact on the targeted individual, especially threats to the fundamental psychological needs of belonging, self-esteem, meaningful existence, and sense of control. Ostracism in children and adolescents is under-researched compared to bullying in general, in both the general youth population and in populations of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). Basic and applied studies on ostracism and its impact are reviewed with special emphasis on recent findings about ostracism in CYSHCN. Evidence is presented that ostracism may pose an even greater threat to children's adjustment and need-threat levels than bullying. Resources for clinician and researcher engagement in this emerging area are provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The Citadel, Charleston, SC, USA. saylorc@citadel.edu
authors.forename: Conway F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Saylor
authors.forename: Kipling D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Steve A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Nida
authors.forename: Margaret E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: McKenna
authors.forename: Kaitlin E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Twomey
authors.forename: Michelle M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Macias
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D035841:Behavioral Research; D058445:Bullying / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D012929:Psychological Distance; D011582:Psychological Theory