Date of Award
8-2002
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
Abstract
The majority of peer relations research focuses on the short and long term effects of childhood peer rejection and aggression for development. The importance of social competence and more specifically, its long term effects on development have not been as thoroughly examined within the peer research. In this 20 year follow-up investigation, preadolescent social competence, peer rejection, and aggression scores were used to predict adult measures of dyadic adjustment, family environment, and family expressiveness. In addition, both preadolescent peer relation scores and concurrent adult dyadic and family scores were used to predict offspring emotion regulation abilities, internalizing and externalizing symptomatology, and amount of activity and social involvement. It was found that high preadolescent social competence scores were predictive of dyadic adjustment and family cohesiveness. Low preadolescent social competence scores were predictive of family conflict and negative family expressiveness. Peer rejection and aggression were not found to be significant predictors of adult adjustment. Although preadolescent peer relations, adult dyadic adjustment, and family scores were not predictive of offspring functioning, offspring emotion regulation abilities were predictive of internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors, as weil as activity and social involvement scores.
Recommended Citation
Pursell, Gwen Renae, "The effects of childhood social competence on young adults interpersonal competence in dyadic and family relations: an exploratory analysis" (2002). Master's Theses. 833.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/masters-theses/833