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The Longitudinal Interplay between Adverse Peer Experiences and Self-Regulation Facets: A Prospective Analysis during
Nele Westermann1, Robert Busching1, Annette M Klein2
1Department of Psychology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 24/25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.
Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
|October 2, 2023
Summary
Adverse peer experiences in childhood predict lower self-regulation (SR) skills, such as emotional control and planning. These self-regulation challenges, in turn, predict more peer victimization and rejection, highlighting a bidirectional link.
Area of Science:
- Child psychology
- Developmental psychology
- Social neuroscience
Background:
- Positive peer interactions and self-regulation (SR) are vital for children's development.
- The interplay between adverse peer experiences (APEs) and SR during middle childhood remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prospective, bidirectional associations between APEs and various SR facets in children aged 6-13.
- To understand how peer victimization and rejection relate to the development of executive functions and emotional control.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study (PIER project) with 1654 children assessed at three time points.
- Measurement of SR facets (updating, flexibility, inhibition, emotional reactivity, inhibitory control, planning) via computerized tasks and multi-informant reports (child, parent, teacher).
- Assessment of APEs (peer victimization, rejection) using self-, parent-, and teacher-reports, analyzed with cross-lagged panel models.
Main Results:
- APEs at T1 predicted increased emotional reactivity and decreased inhibition, inhibitory control, updating, and flexibility at T2.
- APEs at T2 predicted increased emotional reactivity and decreased planning at T3.
- Lower inhibition, updating, and flexibility at T2 predicted increased APEs at T3, indicating a negative bidirectional relationship.
Conclusions:
- Adverse peer experiences negatively impact self-regulation development in middle childhood.
- Impaired self-regulation skills can increase vulnerability to further peer victimization and rejection.
- Findings underscore the critical, reciprocal link between peer relationships and self-regulation for children's social and emotional well-being.
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