We examined childhood social withdrawal and aggression as predictive of adolescent maladaption, comparing and contrasting social and emotional outcomes associated with aggression and social withdrawal. We also focused on childhood social competence as a predictor of adolescent adaptation. The sample comprised 60 children for whom a complete data set was available at both ages 7 and 14 years. The predictors were aggregated measures of social withdrawal, aggression, and social competence derived from three sourcesbehavioral observations, peer assessments, and teacher ratings. The outcomes focused primarily on markers of internalizing and externalizing problems. The results indicated that childhood social withdrawal uniquely and significantly contributed to the prediction of adolescent loneliness, felt insecurity, and negative self-regard. Aggression predicted adolescent delinquent activity; social competence predicted felt security in the peer group and substance use in adolescence.

The present study examines whether subgroups of unpopular children differ in terms of competence in multiple domains. Specifically, subgroups of aggressive unpopular, withdrawn unpopular, and aggressive-withdrawn unpopular and average status children were identified on the basis of peer evaluations. The subgroups were then compared in terms of peer and self-perceptions of competence in various nonsocial and social domains. Results indicated that the 3 subgroups of unpopular children exhibited distinct profiles according to peer perceptions, with aggressive-withdrawn unpopular children being viewed as deficient in virtually every area assessed, and aggressive unpopular and withdrawn unpopular children viewed as exhibiting particular strengths and weaknesses across domains. In terms of self-perceptions, results indicated that withdrawn-unpopular children expressed more accurate, but negative self-evaluations, while children in the aggressive subgroups tended to overestimate their competencies.

The main purpose of the present study was to examine the links between sports participation and self-esteem, with particular interest in the possible mediating role of physical self-esteem. The participants in this study were 382 students (167 boys; 215 girls) in Grades 5-8. Participants completed a series of paper and pencil measures, detailing their sports participation, as well as their self-perceptions concerning physical and general selfesteem. Sports participation was related to all indices of self-esteem and this was equally true for boys and girls. Two distinct but related factors were identified as components of physical self-esteem (Physical appearance and Physical competence), differentially associated with selfesteem for boys and girls. Results supported a mediational model, with physical self-esteem mediating the relationship between sports participation and general selfesteem. Significant sex differences were noted with regard to specific indices of physical self-esteem. RésuméLe but principal de la présente étude était d'examiner les liens entre la participation aux sports et l'estime de soi, en se penchant en particulier sur le rôle médiateur possible de l'estime de soi physique. Trois cent quatre-vingt-deux étudiants (167 garçons et 215 filles) de la 5e à la 8e année ont participé à cette étude. Ils ont été soumis à une série de mesures écrites, qui décrivaient leur participation aux sports ainsi que leurs perceptions de soi quant à l'estime de soi physique et générale. Pour les garçons comme pour les filles, la participation aux sports était liée à tous les indices de l'estime de soi. Deux facteurs distincts mais connexes ont été identifiés comme des composants de l'estime de soi physique (apparence physique et compétence physique), associés de façon différentielle à l'estime de soi des garçons et des filles. Les résultats viennent à l'appui d'un modèle médiationnel de l'estime de soi physique qui mitige le rapport entre la participation aux sports et l'estime de soi générale. Des différences significatives entre les garçons et les filles ont été notées en ce qui a trait à des indices précis de l'estime de soi physique.Adolescence is a time of transition, with individuals struggling to deal with the physical, cognitive, and social changes throughout this developmental period. These changes can be stressful, and may lead to significant declines in feelings of self-worth. 1 Adolescents may experience a decline in general satisfaction with the self, and/or they may experience a decline in specific subdomains of the self, such as physical appearance, athletic competence or academic competence (Harter, 1985(Harter, , 1990Marsh, 1987Marsh, , 1990.One area of self-esteem that may be most affected during the adolescent period is physical self-esteem, or the extent to that one feels satisfied with one's physical self. Physical self-esteem can include both feelings of physical attractiveness, as well as perceived physical competence (Fox, 1997). Feeling positively about one's physical self is an importa...

Empirically conducted studies of the efficacy of various treatments for autism are limited, which leaves parents with little evidence on which to base their treatment decisions (Kasari, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 32: 447-461, 2002). The purpose of this study was to examine the types of treatments in current use by families of children with ASD. In addition, parents' perceptions of improvement in their child's functioning were explored. Through an online survey, a sample of 970 parents of ASD children reported on the treatments currently in use, those discontinued, and reasons for discontinuation. Results indicate that most families adopt multiple treatment approaches. Parents were most likely to discontinue non-evidence based treatments when they did not see improvement in their child's functioning.

Despite growing research results indicating that shyness is a risk factor for psychosocial maladjustment in childhood, less is known about the conceptual mechanisms that may underlie these associations. The purpose of the current study was to explore links between self-reported shyness, coping strategies and social functioning in middle childhood. As well, we sought to examine the reliance on internalizing coping strategies as a potential mediator of the link between shyness and social functioning. Participants were 355 children aged 9 to 11 years who completed measures of shyness, loneliness, positive and negative affect, social anxiety, self-concept, well-being, and coping strategies. Results indicated that shyness was associated with greater internalizing difficulties and lower well-being. Moreover, internalizing coping was found to partially mediate the relation between shyness and certain indices of internalizing problems. These results suggest a conceptual pathway, where an over-reliance on internalizing coping may partially explain why shy children experience internalizing difficulties in middle childhood.