The present study examined whether adolescent loneliness would be lower within the context of positive relationships with peers. The core conceptual model predicted that hypothesized links between peer-rated social behaviors or victimization and loneliness would be mediated by social acceptance. Relationship experiences (i.e., social acceptance,…

Even though generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one of the most common of the anxiety disorders, relatively little is known about its precursors. Bowlby's attachment theory provides a framework within which these precursors can be considered. According to Bowlby, adult anxiety may be rooted in childhood experiences that leave a child uncertain…

In a study of 452 kindergartners and first graders, it was found that young children understand the concept of loneliness and can make reliable reports of their loneliness. Results indicated that it was possible to reliably assess the loneliness of young children. (GLR)

Three studies explored the connection between attachment and peer-related representations among children from preschool age through grade five. Found that children secure in their attachment to their parents had more positive peer feelings than did insecure children, and greater perceived rejection by both mothers and fathers was associated with…

The role of self-perceptions in peer selection was examined among seventh-graders and third-graders. Findings indicated that when evaluations (supposedly of unfamiliar peers) related to specific competence domains, seventh-graders preferred positive peers to negative peers, whereas third-graders selected peers who viewed them as they viewed…