Social competence in children with social adjustment disorders

Abstract

Teachers and parents of a sample of 1774 students at three grade levels (4th, 6th and 8th grades) were asked to judge the social competence of the children by means of the social competence questionnaire by Buhrmester et al. (1988). These ratings were correlated with the social status of the pupils, with peer statements on aggressive behavior and victimization and with the teachers' ratings of behavior in class and towards fellow pupils. Teachers proved to be more critical than parents, crediting boys with less social competence than girls, though this difference diminished in the higher grades. Ratings of social competence differed significantly both with regard to respective social status, as well as to frequent involvement in aggressive disputes as reported by peers. Children rated by the teachers as hyperactive were no less socially competent than aggressive or aggressive-hyperactive children. Victims of peer aggression and particularly shy and withdrawn children were rated the least socially competent by parents and teachers. Implications for the training of the social skills of children with peer relationship problems are discussed.