Moving toward and away from the world: Social approach and avoidance trajectories in anxious solitary youth

Heidi Gazelle, Karen D. Rudolph

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This investigation tested the person-by-environment hypothesis that the joint influence of behavioral vulnerability (anxious solitude) and interpersonal adversity (peer exclusion) predicts heightened social avoidance and depression over time. The study assessed 519 fifth and sixth graders 3 times during 1 year. Teachers reported social behavior and peer exclusion; youth reported depression. As hypothesized, anxious solitary youth displayed maintenance or exacerbation of social avoidance and depression in the context of high exclusion, but increased social approach and less depression in the context of low exclusion. Some effects were moderated by sex. The interaction of behavioral vulnerability and peer exclusion was more consistently linked to adjustment changes in anxious solitary youth than in youth with other behavioral profiles.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)829-849
Number of pages21
JournalChild development
Volume75
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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