This study of 150 males and 121 females approximately 16 1/2 years of age explored relations among developmental levels and styles of interpersonal negotiation strategies (INS) and competence in social problem-solving skills. Also assessed relations among levels and styles of INS and self-reported engagement in problem behaviors. (RH)

Evaluated behavior problems and social competence in 198 children, 4-16 years old, from violent and nonviolent families. Mothers rated children's behavior and completed measures of family violence and maternal stress. Children of battered women were rated significantly higher in behavior problems and lower in social competence than were controls.…

This study examined behavioral adjustment in 22 siblings of children with autism. Mothers rated these children as having more behavior problems and fewer prosocial behaviors than a normative sample. Analysis of variables revealed that male siblings and children younger than the autistic sibling engaged in fewer prosocial behaviors. Psychological…

Examined competence and problem behavior of 70 adolescent suicide attempters for effects of gender, age, and high-risk versus low-risk suicidal status. High suicide risk youth reported greater clinical levels of problem behavior than did low-risk counterparts. Few differences were found for reported competencies. (Author/NB)

Recess serves as a prime example of an underused social work intervention opportunity in schools. Describes and evaluates a recess-based social skill intervention that targets elementary-aged school children and their behaviors on the playground. Explores program effectiveness by examining behaviors from before and during the program. Examines…

Comparison of teacher perceptions of either behaviorally disordered or socially normal students (total N=410 and ages between 8 and 15) indicated teachers perceived more prosocial behavior by normal, female, and older subjects. Teachers perceived an increase in negative social behavior for normal secondary-age students but not for behaviorally…

Insecurely attached boys were less liked by peers and teachers; were perceived as more aggressive by classmates; and were rated by teachers as less competent and as having more behavior problems than were secure boys. No such association emerged for girls. Participants were 89 children assessed before and after they entered first grade and their…

A 3-year follow-along study of 422 students with disabilities in their last year of high school and 1 year later found that students with serious emotional disturbances and demonstrated low personal/social achievement skills were more likely to be victimized than those with other disabilities. Prior victimization, gender, and arrest record also…

Examined the relationship between 41 preschool children's peer competency and the exchange of reciprocal negative affect displays during physical play with parents. Found that fathers who typically responded to their children's negative affect displays with negative affect of their own had children who shared less, were more aggressive, and…

Preschool children (N=26) who accompanied their mothers to a battered women's shelter were found to have elevated rates of behavior problems and social competence difficulties. White males appeared more impaired than any other gender/ethnic combination. Abused children and non-abused children who witnessed family violence were compared.…

Elementary classroom teachers rated the withdrawn and social behaviors of 41 children with language impairments (LI) and 41 typically developing peers using the Teacher Behavioral Rating Scale. Teachers rated children with LI as more reticent than typically developing children, and boys with LI as displaying more solitary-active withdrawal…

Examined relations between different forms of children's nonsocial play behaviors and adjustment in kindergarten. Results from regression analyses revealed that different types of nonsocial play were differentially associated with child characteristics and indices of adjustment. For some forms of nonsocial play, the nature of these associations…

Analysis of social competence and problem behaviors for 164 special education students in grades K-3, using the Social Skills Rating System, found weak to moderate relationships between parents' and teachers' ratings. Gender comparisons revealed mixed findings. Results provide evidence for the instrument's convergent validity and suggest that…

Observations of social interactions of elementary students in self-contained emotionally disturbed (ED) and learning disabilities (LD) classrooms revealed significantly more nonphysical aggression and noncompliance among ED than LD boys across settings, and significantly higher rates of physical and nonphysical aggression and immature behavior…

Examined the relationship between adolescents' detection of self-discrepancies and internalizing and externalizing problems. Found that self-discrepancy, independent of actual-self positivity, predicted internalizing and externalizing problems. For girls, discrepancy with parental standards predicted functioning, and discrepancy with independent…