In this introductory chapter, guided by developmental psychopathology and developmental science as overarching integrative theoretical frameworks, the authors define three constructs related to social anxiety in childhood (behavioral inhibition, anxious solitude/withdrawal, and social anxiety disorder) and analyze commonalities and differences in…

In this article, we describe a theoretical framework for understanding how persistent and extreme exposure to ethnic-political conflict and violence interacts with cognitive, emotional, and self processes to influence children's psychosocial adjustment. Three recent strands of theorizing guide our approach. First, we focus on how observational and…

Children's play behaviors are generally fun for them, but the same cannot be said for children who need clinical help. Play therapy seeks to resolve psychosocial difficulties and reestablish a child's ability to play and function normally (O'Connor, 2000). Ecosystemic play therapy (EPT) integrates a variety of techniques and theories to create a…

Different pathways to parenthood exist for lesbians and gay men, including adoption and sperm or egg donation. Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health showed few differences in terms of adjustment between adolescents living with opposite-sex couples and those living with same-sex couples. Recommendations for clinical work…

One in five youth in the United States is a child of an immigrant and children of immigrants are the most rapidly growing segment of the U.S. population under age 18. Consequently, there is a great need to better understand the psychosocial impact of immigration on children's mental health and adjustment. It is striking, however, that research on…

This article provides an overview of cognitive-behavioural strategies used in the treatment of child-anxiety problems, emphasizing the need for exposure and caregiver involvement. Most of the paper focuses on developments in empirically supported cognitive-behavioral intervention protocols for generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety…

Compares the effects of two educational programs--Developing Understanding Self and Others-Revised (DUSO-R) and Walker Social Skills Curriculum (ACCEPTS)--on the social skills and self-esteem of children 6-10 years old. Results indicate ACCEPTS program resulted in greater efficacy in social adjustment, although DUSO-R program faired better in…

Non-confrontative stealing in childhood has been recognized as predictive of social maladjustment in adolescence and adulthood. A conceptual overview of issues that complicate the assessment of stealing and contribute to the maintenance of this behavior in children is provided. Diagnostic recommendations and treatment strategies in schools are…

The report summarizes recent and ongoing research on processes involved in the development of antisocial behavior disorders in children and adolescents. Studies address both the applied problem of preventing aggressive behavior and the overall relation of cognition to social behavior. A social information processing model of social competence is…

A study of 20 gifted children (ages 9-14) provides the basis of a model of social and emotional adjustment to stressors presented in this article. Intrapersonal, family, school, and peer influences, as well as functional and dysfunctional patterns of social and emotional adjustment, are explained within the framework of the model. (Author/CR)

Evaluated effectiveness of 16-week intervention for 52 second- and third-grade children of divorce. Participants were compared with 52 divorce controls and 81 children from intact families on child, parent, and teacher measures of adjustment. Experimental group improved significantly more than nonprogram groups from multiple perspectives,…