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Social Information Processing and Coping Strategies of Shy/Withdrawn and Aggressive Children: Does Friendship Matter?
Author(s) -
Burgess Kim B.,
Wojslawowicz Julie C.,
Rubin Kenneth H.,
RoseKrasnor Linda,
BoothLaForce Cathryn
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1467-8624
pISSN - 0009-3920
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2006.00876.x
Subject(s) - psychology , friendship , attribution , developmental psychology , coping (psychology) , interpersonal communication , stressor , interpersonal relationship , cognition , social psychology , social environment , clinical psychology , neuroscience , political science , law
The primary objectives of this investigation were to examine the attributions, emotional reactions, and coping strategies of shy/withdrawn and aggressive girls and boys and to examine whether such social cognitions differ within the relationship context of friendship. Drawn from a sample of fifth and sixth graders ( M age=10.79 years; SD =.77), 78 shy/withdrawn, 76 aggressive, and 85 control children were presented with hypothetical social situations that first involved unfamiliar peers, and then a mutual good friend. Results revealed group and gender differences and similarities, depending on the relationship context. From our findings emerges a central message: friends' involvement during interpersonal challenges or stressors mitigates children's attributions, emotions, and coping responses.