LINKS AMONG DYSREGULATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD, SOCIAL INFORMATION PROCESSING AT AGE 8, AND PEER RELATIONS AT AGE 9
Date
2019-05
Authors
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
The goal of the current study was to examine relations between dysregulation
in early childhood, social information processing at age eight, and peer relations at age
nine. The sample included 93 Child Protective Services (CPS)-referred children. I
hypothesized that dysregulation in early childhood would predict higher levels of
maladaptive social information processing, and the expression of negative non-verbal
behaviors with a same sex peer. I also hypothesized that social information processing
would mediate the association between dysregulation in early childhood and nonverbal
behaviors with peers. Dysregulation was assessed using the Disruptive
Behavior Diagnostic Observation Schedule (DB-DOS), children’s social information
processing patterns were assessed using the Social Information Processing Application
(SIP-AP), and peer relations was assessed through play groups with 3-4 same sex
peers. The percentage of time children spent disengaged, breaking rules, and making
eye contact with a partner was coded. Early childhood dysregulation was associated
with aggressive goals, rule breaking with a same-sex peer during a frustrating task,
and disengagement with a same sex peer during a planning task. Aggressive responses
were associated with rule breaking with a same-sex peer during a frustration task.
Social information processing did not mediate the association between dysregulation
and rule breaking with peers. Results further our understanding of the problematic
long-term outcomes associated with dysregulation in early childhood and maladaptive
social information processing.
Description
Keywords
Psychology, Dysregulation, Early childhood