Examined the role of regulation in mediating the relations between maternal emotional expressivity and children's adjustment and social competence when children were 4.5 to just 8 years old, and again 2 years later. Found that at Times 1 and 2, regulation mediated the relation between positive maternal emotional expressivity and children's…

Discusses the role of humor in children's social development in the following areas: (1) social interaction; (2) friendship development and popularity; (3) hostility expression; and (4) interpersonal relationships. Argues that early humor development helps to optimize social development. (FMW)

Examined physiological regulation as a moderator in the relations between exposure to verbal and physical parental marital conflict and 8- to 12-year-olds' adjustment and physical health. Found that higher vagal tone buffered children against increased externalizing, internalizing, and health problems related to marital conflict. Higher delta…

The classroom behavior of 11 segregated and 11 integrated educable mentally retarded (EMR) children, 8 to 13 years of age, was compared on a 12-category observation schedule when all EMR children were in special classes, four months after some children had been reintegrated, and at the conclusion of an academic year. The results indicated that…

Studied the use of a social learning approach to reduce the unpopularity of an 11-year-old girl. Used a multiple baseline design to successively implement reinforcement contingencies on each class of social skill. Substantial improvements in performance were noted. Sociometric ratings of popularity by others improved after intervention. (Author/RC)

The Self-Esteem Index (SEI), designed to assess self-esteem in school-age children and adolescents, is composed of four self-esteem subscales: Perception of Familial Acceptance, Perception of Academic Competence, Perception of Peer Popularity, and Perception of Personal Security. Discusses these subscales and makes recommendations regarding the…

Provides a review of the literature in the area of social characteristics of children with AD/HD, and outlines interventions for working with specific social problems. Presents possible reasons for the peer rejection of AD/HD students and includes inappropriate social behavior, social knowledge deficits and biases, and negative interactions with…

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…

This study tested the effect of reductions in children's anxiety over time on improvements in school performance and social functioning in the context of participation in a cognitive-behavioral intervention program. Participants included 40 children with high anxiety (6-13 years of age). Independent evaluators, children, and parents rated child…

It is shown that both moral judgment and interpersonal conceptions (two cognitive developmental domains) seem to be related to adequate social adjustment. Recent empirical studies have demonstrated success in raising children's level of reasoning in these areas. Direct applications of these recent findings to the mainstreaming problem are…

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…

The convergent validity of the SPAI-C was studied by comparing scores to daily diary ratings of social distress for 10 elementary school children with social phobia, 3 of whom had overanxious disorder, and 10 controls. Results support the ability of the SPAI-C to distinguish social phobic children. (SLD)

Investigated the quality of parenting and psychological adjustment of 12-year-old children conceived through donor insemination (DI). Found that DI mothers showed greater expressive warmth while DI fathers showed less involvement in discipline, compared to parents with adopted or naturally conceived children. Found that DI children were well…

Investigated children's and adolescents' involvement in mutual antipathies. Found that children and boys of all ages were more frequently involved in same-sex antipathies; involvement in mixed-sex antipathies was comparable for both genders. Same-sex antipathies were associated with antisocial behavior and social withdrawal for both age and gender…