title: Effects of Early Childhood Peer Relationships on Adolescent Mental Health: A 6- to 8-Year Follow-Up Study in South Korea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Peer relationships are one of the important factors in children's development. The present study examines the relationship between the effects of early peer relationships and adolescent psychological adjustment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The first survey took place from 1998 to 2000, and a follow-up assessment obtained data in 2006, as the original participants reached 13-15 years of age. The first assessment used the Korean version of the Child Behavior Checklist (K-CBCL) and simple questions about peer relationships to evaluate the participants. The follow-up assessment administered the Korean Youth Self Report (K-YSR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children's peer relationships have longitudinal effects on mental health and adjustment. Children who had qualitative peer-relation problems were more likely to exhibit internalizing problems as adolescents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children who have poor peer relationships might become more vulnerable to emotional problems and social adjustment as adolescents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Counseling Psychology, Hanyang Cyber University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoung Min
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Science, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sun-Mi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Science, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yun Mi
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Seoul Women's University Graduate School of Professional Therapeutic Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung Soon
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: Adolescent adjustment; Child peer relationship; K-CBCL; K-YSR; Longitudinal study