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Published on: September 19, 2019
Social information processing and coping strategies of shy/withdrawn and aggressive children: does friendship matter?
Kim B Burgess1, Julie C Wojslawowicz, Kenneth H Rubin
1University of Maryland at College Park, MD, USA. kburgess@pediatricpsychologycenter.org
Abstract:
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objectives of this investigation were to examine the attributions, emotional reactions, and coping strategies of shy/withdrawn and aggressive girls and boys and to examine whether such social cognitions differ within the relationship context of friendship. Drawn from a sample of fifth and sixth graders (M age = 10.79 years; SD = .77), 78 shy/withdrawn, 76 aggressive, and 85 control children were presented with hypothetical social situations that first involved unfamiliar peers, and then a mutual good friend.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.
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