Models of internalizing outcomes of early rejection

Abstract

Viewing social rejection from same-age peers as a source of stress for children, the current study sought to determine the most appropriate model of the effects of temporary versus consistent experiences with rejection for both short-term and long-term internalizing problems. Adopting a cross-sectional longitudinal design, the sociometric status of children in the first year of the study (when the children were in the first, second, or third grades), and then again in the next school year (when children were in the second, third, or fourth grades) was assessed to determine which children were rejected by their peers. Internalizing outcome measures were administered in the third and sixth years of follow-up. Results indicated that, for boys, the Threshold Model best represented the stressful effects of rejection. That is, only boys who were exposed to rejection for 2 consecutive years demonstrated both short-term and long-term internalizing problems in subsequent years. For girls, however, there appeared to be few significant differences among those who never experienced rejection, who had only temporary experiences with rejection, and girls who were consistently exposed to rejection. Results are discussed in terms of the significance of a Threshold Model as well as possible explanations for these gender differences.

Friendship and adjustment among adolescents

“…It has been reported that girlsÕ friendships are more intimate and involve more interpersonal disclosure than do boysÕ friendships (Buhrmester, 1996). This leads to the expectation that friendship experiences might be more important for the adjustment of girls than for boys (Burks, Dodge, & Price, 1995). The data here are not consistent with this view.…”

Children's Friendship Experiences and Psychological Adjustment: Theory and Research

“…Some studies have found no gender effects in the relationships among peer acceptance, friendship, and adjustment (for example, Parker and Asher, 1993), but others have (for example, La Greca and Lopez, 1998;Oldenburg and Kerns, 1997). It is interesting that, when examining the relations between peer variables and depression, Oldenburg and Kerns (1997) found stronger relations for girls, whereas Burks, Dodge, and Price (1995), as well as our study, found stronger relations for boys. Perhaps some of the discrepancy in the obtained gender effects is related to the age of the participants.…”

“…Overall, children who are rejected by peers are more likely to suffer from depression (Boivin, Hymel, and Bukowski, 1995;Boivin, Poulin, and Vitaro, 1994;Burks, Dodge, and Price, 1995). However, friendship experiences also appear to play an important role in predicting depression.…”

Changing contexts? The effects of a primary prevention program on classroom levels of peer relational and physical victimization

“…Children with emotional~or internalizing! problems are also more likely to be victimized, although the direction of this effect is not well established~Burks, Dodge, & Price, 1995;Crick et al, 1999;Hodges et al, 1997Hodges et al, , 1999!. The current results show that children with higher levels of emotional problems experience increases in social exclusion and physical victimization even in classes where a majority of the children are getting along, interacting positively, and sharing the available resources.…”