Lower Social Competence Research Articles

Linking Social Anxiety with Social Competence in Early Adolescence: Physiological and Coping Moderators.

Despite relatively universal feelings of discomfort in social situations, there is considerable evidence for diversity in the social behaviors and peer experiences of socially anxious youth. However, to date, very little research has been conducted with the aim of identifying factors that differentiate socially anxious youth who are more socially competent from those who are less socially competent. The present study addresses this gap in the literature by examining whether physiological and cognitive coping responses to social stress moderate the association between social anxiety and social competence. Participants were a community sample of 123 fifth and sixth graders (Mage=12.03). Social anxiety was measured globally and in the context of a lab-based peer evaluation situation, and social competence was assessed via teacher-reports. Physiological (i.e., skin conductance level reactivity, SCLR, and respiratory sinus arrhythmia reactivity, RSAR) and coping (i.e., disengaged) responses to social stressors were also assessed. Results indicated that SCLR and disengaged coping with peer victimization moderated associations linking global and context-specific social anxiety with social competence, such that social anxiety was associated with lower social competence at lower levels of SCLR and higher levels of disengaged coping with peer victimization. Thus, whether socially anxious preadolescents exhibit more or less competent social behavior may depend, in part, on how they respond to peer-evaluative stress. Inflexible physiological responses and disengaged coping responses may undermine social competence, whereas engaged responses may counteract socially anxious preadolescents' tendency to withdraw from social interactions or focus primarily on threat cues.

Behavior problems and social competence in Brazilian children with specific language impairment

This study aimed to investigate the behavior and social profile of Brazilian children with specific language impairment (SLI) and explore whether the severity of language deficits was associated with behavioral problems and low social competence. Twenty-four children with SLI aged from 6 to 11 years who showed substantial expressive language problems and were receiving speech-language therapy were assessed through the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Children with SLI showed high rates of behavioral problems and low levels of social competence. With the exception of two subscales (“somatic” and “rule breaker”), the percentage of children with SLI at risk of behavioral problems was significantly higher than the same proportion in the general population; and almost all children with SLI (95.2 %) demonstrated problems with social competence. The severity of language deficits was associated with the risk of behavioral problems according to only one criterion. No associations were found between the severity of language problems and social competence. The study provides cross-cultural evidence to support the existence of behavior problems and reduced social competence in children with SLI. Our findings point to the need of using a combination of measures to classify the severity of language problems rather than a single dimension.

Есть ли жизнь после смерти: из опыта психотерапевтической работы с подростками после истинной суицидальной попытки

Suicide attempts made by the patients suffering from depression should be considered as a special case in the general category of suicidal and self-injurious behavior. The paper is aimed at describing the examples of psychotherapeutic work with three 16-year-old teenagers who were diagnosed with severe depressive episode and had made a true suicide attempt. It explains the specificity of their mental status in dy- namic perspective. The set of the personal characteristics peculiar for such teenage pa- tients includes sensitivity, disposition to reflexivity, higher level of personal and social anxiety, self-esteem disturbance, cognitive distortions (negative selection, polarized thinking, personalization, catastrophizing), low frustration tolerance, perfectionism, low social competence, lack of problem-solving skills. On the basis of these and other cases of severe depressive episodes the author defines the goals for individual and family therapy, the possibilities and perspectives of psychotherapeutic treatment.

Nonverbal Synchrony in Social Interactions of Patients with Schizophrenia Indicates Socio-Communicative Deficits.

BackgroundDisordered interpersonal communication can be a serious problem in schizophrenia. Recent advances in computer-based measures allow reliable and objective quantification of nonverbal behavior. Research using these novel measures has shown that objective amounts of body and head movement in patients with schizophrenia during social interactions are closely related to the symptom profiles of these patients. In addition to and above mere amounts of movement, the degree of synchrony, or imitation, between patients and normal interactants may be indicative of core deficits underlying various problems in domains related to interpersonal communication, such as symptoms, social competence, and social functioning.MethodsNonverbal synchrony was assessed objectively using Motion Energy Analysis (MEA) in 378 brief, videotaped role-play scenes involving 27 stabilized outpatients diagnosed with paranoid-type schizophrenia.ResultsLow nonverbal synchrony was indicative of symptoms, low social competence, impaired social functioning, and low self-evaluation of competence. These relationships remained largely significant when correcting for the amounts of patients‘ movement. When patients showed reduced imitation of their interactants’ movements, negative symptoms were likely to be prominent. Conversely, positive symptoms were more prominent in patients when their interaction partners’ imitation of their movements was reduced.ConclusionsNonverbal synchrony can be an objective and sensitive indicator of the severity of patients’ problems. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of nonverbal synchrony may provide novel insights into specific relationships between symptoms, cognition, and core communicative problems in schizophrenia.

Can attachment and peer relation constructs predict anxiety in ethnic minority youths? A longitudinal exploratory study

ABSTRACTAnxiety is the most prevalent psychiatric disturbance in childhood effecting typically 15–20% of all youth. It has been associated with attachment insecurity and reduced competence in peer relations. Prior work has been limited by including mainly White samples, relying on questionnaires, and applying a cross-sectional design. The present study addressed these limitations by considering how at-risk non-White youth (n = 34) responded to the Friends and Family Interview (FFI) in middle childhood and how this linked up with anxiety symptoms and an anxiety diagnosis three years later in early adolescence. Five dimensions of secure attachment, namely, (i) to mother, (ii) to father, (iii) coherence, (iv) developmental understanding, and (v) social competence and quality of contact with best friend in middle childhood, were found to correlate significantly (and negatively) with self-reported anxiety symptoms. Linear regression results showed independent influences of female gender, and (low) quality of best friend contact as the most efficient model predicting anxiety symptoms. Logistic regression results suggested a model that included female gender, low social competence, and immature developmental understanding as efficient predictors of an anxiety diagnosis, evident in only 18% of the sample. These results point to the usefulness of after-school programs for at-risk minority youth in promoting peer competence, developmental awareness, and minimizing anxiety difficulties.

Examining social competence, self-perception, quality of life, and internalizing and externalizing symptoms in adolescent females with and without autism spectrum disorder: a quantitative design including between-groups and correlational analyses.

BackgroundAdolescent females with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are an understudied population, yet are also quite vulnerable, due to the increased complexities of social interaction and increased risk for internalizing symptoms in adolescence. Most research literature currently focuses on males with ASD, limiting our understanding of social experiences for females with ASD, and thus the potential to better inform supports and intervention to promote social-emotional functioning. This study examined similarities and differences in selected indicators of social-emotional health (social competence, self-perception, quality of life) and problematic behaviors such as externalizing and internalizing symptoms for adolescent females with and without ASD.MethodsThis study employed a quantitative design utilizing correlational analysis as well as t test comparisons to examine selected indicators of social-emotional health and problematic symptoms using the Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS), Youth Quality of Life Instrument (YQOL), and the Self-Perceptions Profile for Adolescents (SPPA) for adolescent females with ASD in relation to their typically developing peers.ResultsSignificant differences were found between females with and without ASD in terms of their self-ratings of social-emotional health and problematic behaviors. The no-ASD group rated themselves higher across all areas of social-emotional health. Findings also suggest strong relationships between these constructs, especially for females without ASD. Parent reports of autism symptoms and social-emotional health indicated that as symptoms of autism are more severe, so too was the impact on individuals’ social competence.ConclusionsAdolescent females with ASD perceive themselves as having lower social competence, self-worth, and quality of life and higher levels of internalizing and externalizing symptoms as compared to their typically developing peers. Parent ratings indicate that higher levels of autism symptoms relate to lower levels of social competence. These findings lend support to the postulate that adolescent females with ASD are more vulnerable than their typically developing counterparts due to the compounded impact of ASD symptoms on social-emotional health and the higher risk for internalizing disorders for adolescent girls. Limitations and implications for further research and intervention are discussed.

Social competence of 3 to 5-year-old children born with low birth weight

Background Low birth weight (LBW) has long been used as an indicator of public health. Low birth weight is not a proxy for any dimension of other maternal or perinatal health outcomes. Low birth weight infants require special care, and have more chronic conditions, learning delays, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders compared to infants of normal birth weight (NBW). Social competence is viewed as a primary component of healthy function and development and is an important predictor of academic and financial success.Objective To examine social competence of children aged 3-5 years born with low birth weight.Methods This cross-sectional study was undertaken in Palembang in 2012. Subjects consisted of children aged 3-5 years attended a preschool in the Seberang Ulu I District, Palembang, and were divided into two groups: low birth weight (LBW) and normal birth weight (NBW). Social competence was assessed by observation and Interaction Rating Scale (IRS) and Parenting Style questionnaire (PSQ). Chi-square analysis was used to compare social competence between the two groups. Multivariate regression logistic analysis was used to assess for the dominant factors that may affect a child’s social competence.Results Low birth weight children aged 3 to 5 years had a 1.435 times higher risk of low social competence compared to normal birth weight children of similar age. (RP 1.435; 95%CI 1.372 to 13.507; P=0.019). Multivariate regression logistic analysis revealed that parenting style was a dominant factor affecting social competence.Conclusion Social competence in 3 to 5-year-old children born with low birth weight is lower compared to those with normal birth weight.

PENGARUH SOSIALISASI MEDIA ORANG TUA DAN DUKUNGAN SOSIAL TEMAN SEBAYA TERHADAP KOMPETENSI SOSIAL ANAK

The low social competence of children can be caused by the many media containing antisocial behavior that is accessible by children and also the negative influence of peers. This study aimed to analyze the influence ofmedia socialization of parents and social support of peer group on the social competence of school-aged children. The study used a survey method with cross sectional design. Samples of this study were 120 students that were selected by using simple random sampling technique of 4th grade students at three elementary schools in the city of Bogor. The results showed that the social competence of children were at high level in every dimension (selfknowledge, self-management, knowing of the social environment, expert in building relationships). Factors that influence positively on the social competence of children were the active guidance of a mother when watching television, the number of hours that child use for reading, the number of hours that father use for reading, and age of father. Factors that negatively affect were the number of hours that father use for watching television, restrictions on reading a book by the mother, number of children's books, number of books father’s books, and age of mother. The study also found differences in treatment between mother of daughter and mother of the boy. Mother whose boy more actively guiding of the contents of television viewing than mother whose daughter.

Social competence of 3 to 5-year-old children born with low birth weight

Background Low birth weight (LBW) has long been used as an indicator of public health. Low birth weight is not a proxy for any dimension of other maternal or perinatal health outcomes. Low birth weight infants require special care, and have more chronic conditions, learning delays, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders compared to infants of normal birth weight (NBW). Social competence is viewed as a primary component of healthy function and development and is an important predictor of academic and financial success.Objective To examine social competence of children aged 3-5 years born with low birth weight.Methods This cross-sectional study was undertaken in Palembang in 2012. Subjects consisted of children aged 3-5 years attended a preschool in the Seberang Ulu I District, Palembang, and were divided into two groups: low birth weight (LBW) and normal birth weight (NBW). Social competence was assessed by observation and Interaction Rating Scale (IRS) and Parenting Style questionnaire (PSQ). Chi-square analysis was used to compare social competence between the two groups. Multivariate regression logistic analysis was used to assess for the dominant factors that may affect a child’s social competence.Results Low birth weight children aged 3 to 5 years had a 1.435 times higher risk of low social competence compared to normal birth weight children of similar age. (RP 1.435; 95%CI 1.372 to 13.507; P=0.019). Multivariate regression logistic analysis revealed that parenting style was a dominant factor affecting social competence.Conclusion Social competence in 3 to 5-year-old children born with low birth weight is lower compared to those with normal birth weight.

Influencia del índice de masa corporal en la autoestima de niños y niñas de 12-14 años

IntroductionDuring the last decades, the increase in the rate of children and adolescents that are overweight or obese is alarming and it is related with a lower social competency, and low self-esteem. MethodA transversal study was conducted with a representative sample of 292 students enrolled in years 8 and 9 at secondary school (13.05±0.97 years) in the city of Jaen, Spain. ResultsGirls wanted a thinner figure than boys (P < .001). Regarding self-esteem we observed statistically lower values in the case of girls (P < .000) as compared to their male counterparts. Regarding the BMI, students with a healthy weight have a statistically higher self-esteem score than students that are overweight and these have a slightly higher score than those that are obese. Positive correlation exists between the perceived silhouette and the desired silhouette (r=.485) and a negative correlation between the BMI and self-esteem (r=-.248). ConclusionIt is necessary to plan actions aimed as reinforcing and increasing self-esteem, focusing on the group of girls and the group of young adults with overweight and obesity problems.

Influence of BMI on self-esteem of children aged 12–14 years

Abstract Background During the last decades, the increase in the rate of children and adolescents who are overweight or obese is alarming and it is related with a lower social competency, and low self-esteem. Method A transversal study was conducted with a representative sample of 292 students enrolled in years 8 and 9 at secondary school (13.05 ± 0.97 years) in the city of Jaen, Spain. Results Girls wanted a thinner figure than boys (p Conclusion It is necessary to plan actions aimed as reinforcing and increasing self-esteem, focusing on the group of girls and the group of young adults with overweight and obesity problems.

Recreational participation and the development of social competence in preschool aged children with disabilities: a cross-sectional study

Purpose: To explore the association between participation and social competence for preschool aged children with and without disabilities. Methods: The sample was drawn from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (n = 4983) which included children aged 4–5 years reported to have hearing problems (n = 164), vision problems (n = 146) and other physical disabilities (n = 114). Chi-square, correlation and logistic regression analyses were used to describe the participation and social competence of children with and without these conditions, as well as examine the association between these constructs. Results: Children with disabilities had similar levels of participation but lower social competence than children without these disabilities. Further analyses revealed a small negative correlation between the two variables (ranging from −0.120 to −0.300 for the three groups) and that children who have low participation are more likely to have abnormal levels of social competence than children with higher participation. Conclusions: The association between participation and social competence may not be as strong for this age group as anticipated in the literature, additional factors may be influential. Examination of the social competence scores identified two factors which may assist in explaining the variance in scores: (1) the experience of disability and (2) the quality of interactions.Implications for RehabilitationChildren with disabilities who participate in similar activities to their typically developing peers may not necessarily develop commensurate levels of social competence.As well as focusing on increasing the participation of children in activities other factors that may have a stronger influence on social competence should be considered, such as supporting (1) the social experience of disability and (2) the quality of interactions that children with disabilities experience.

Mothers' early depressive symptoms predict children's low social competence in first grade: mediation by children's social cognition

This study examined whether social-cognitive processes in children mediate relations between mothers' depressive symptoms across the first 3years and children's first-grade social competence. Three maladaptive cognitions were examined: self-perceived social inadequacy, hostile attribution, and aggressive response generation. One thousand three hundred and sixty-four mothers reported depressive symptoms across early development, first-grade children reported target social cognitions, and children's first-grade social competence was observed and reported by multiple informants. Findings demonstrated that (a) mothers' average depressive symptoms from 6 to 36months predicted children's maladaptive social cognition in first grade, (b) low mother-child responsiveness mediated this relation, and (c) maladaptive social cognition mediated relations between mothers' early depressive symptoms and low first-grade social competence independent of later depressive symptoms. When mothers' depressive symptoms occur early in development, they may set in motion low-responsive dyadic patterns that promote children's maladaptive social cognition and, as a result, low social competence.

The influence of condition parameters and internalizing symptoms on social outcomes in youth with spina bifida.

To test a model of social competence in youth with spina bifida (SB). Involvement in social activities was expected to mediate associations between SB-related condition parameters (pain, body mass index, and motor function) and social competence. Internalizing symptoms were predicted to amplify the negative impact of condition parameters on social activity involvement. 108 youth with SB, their caregivers, peers, and teachers participated in a multimethod study that included cognitive testing, questionnaires, and observational interaction tasks. Social activity involvement partially mediated the relation between pain and lower social competence. Internalizing symptoms had a significant indirect effect on social competence via decreased involvement in social activities. Pain and internalizing symptoms interfere with social activity involvement, which is, in turn, important for social competence development in youth with SB. Assessing and treating these condition parameters and activity factors may be important areas of focus in clinical practice and research with these youth.

Improving adolescent social competence and behavior: a randomized trial of an 11-week equine facilitated learning prevention program.

There is growing evidence that promoting social competence in youth is an effective strategy to prevent mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders in adulthood. Research suggests that programs delivered in collaboration with schools are particularly effective when they target social and emotional skill building, utilize an interactive instructional style, provide opportunities for youth participation and self-direction, and include explicit attempts to enhance youth social competence. A relatively new but popular approach that incorporates these characteristics is human animal interaction, which can be implemented in educational settings. We report the results from a randomized clinical trial examining the effects of an 11-week equine facilitated learning (EFL) program on the social competence and behavior of 5th-8th grade children. Children (N = 131) were recruited through referral by school counselors and school-based recruitment and then screened for low social competence. Researchers randomly assigned children to an experimental (n = 53) or waitlisted control group (n = 60). Children in the experimental group participated in an 11-week EFL program consisting of once-weekly, 90-min sessions of individual and team-focused activities, whereas children in the control group served as a wait-listed control and participated 16 weeks later. Parents of children in both groups rated child social competence at pretest and posttest. Three independent raters observed and reported children's positive and negative behavior using a validated checklist during each weekly session. Results indicated that program participation had a moderate treatment effect (d = .55) on social competence (p = .02) that was independent of pretest levels, age, gender, and referral status. Results showed that higher levels of program attendance predicted children's trajectories of observed positive (β = .500; p = .003) and negative behavior (β = -.062; p < .001) over the 11-week program.

A survey on the family and clinical characteristics and social competency of children and adolescents who talk about killing self

Objective To analyze the family and clinical characteristics of talking about killing self (TAKS) among children and adolescents and its relationship with social competency. Methods One thousand nine hundred and seventy-five 7-17-year-old students from 12 schools (each four for primary, middle and high schools) of Wuhan area, were approached through multistage random cluster sampling, and administered with a self-designed general information questionnaire and the Chinese version of Children’s Depression Inventory. In addition, subjects’ parents completed Achenbach’s Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). TAKS was judged based on item 91 (talk about killing self) of CBCL. Multiple Logistic Regression was used to identify factors associated with TAKS. Results The half-year prevalence rate (95%CI) of parent-reported TAKS was 4.1% (3.2%, 5.0%). TAKS was significantly associated with bad marital status of parents (OR=2.29), unemployment of fathers (OR=2.07), frequently jangling between father and mother (OR=2.23), parents ever having fought with each other intensely (OR=2.00), being frequently bullied by classmates (OR=2.11), internal behavior problem (OR=2.28), external behavior problem (OR=2.50) and depressive symptoms (OR=4.83). TAKS subjects had significantly lower social competency score than non-TAKS subjects((18.8±7.6) vs. (20.9±6.9), P=0.007). Conclusion The prevalence of TAKS is higher among children and adolescents with several disadvantaged family factors, behavior problems and depression. Children and adolescents with TAKS also have worse social competency. More close clinical attention should be paid to such phenomenon. Key words: Children and adolescents; Talk about killing self; Family; Behavior problem; Social competency

Family Interactions and Disordered Eating Attitudes: The Mediating Roles of Social Competence and Psychological Distress

This research explored the role of family interactions on young adult females' disordered eating attitudes as mediated by both social competence and psychological distress. Assessment of the family interaction variables included the perspectives of multiple family members: a young adult female, a mother, and a sibling. Results generally supported the proposed model such that family interaction patterns, namely family-expressed emotion, were associated with low social competence, low social competence was associated with psychological distress, and psychological distress was associated with disordered eating attitudes. Practical applications of these results are discussed, as implications of this study draw attention to corrosive family communication patterns and inadequate social competence as key factors related to disordered eating attitudes.

Mothers' depressive symptoms and infant negative emotionality in the prediction of child adjustment at age 3: Testing the maternal reactivity and child vulnerability hypotheses

This study examined individual differences in how mothers' depressive symptoms affect children's early adjustment. It tested whether problematic development among children high in negative emotionality is accentuated by (a) maternal reactivity, the negative reactivity of mothers with depressive symptoms to difficult child characteristics; and (b) child vulnerability, the susceptibility of negatively emotional children to the negative parenting of mothers with depressive symptoms. Based on 1,364 participants from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care, results showed that mothers' depressive symptoms predicted greater risk for adjustment problems at age 3 among children who as infants were high rather than low in negative emotionality. Increased risk was evident for behavior problems, low responsiveness, high separation distress, and low social competence. Mediational tests suggested that increased risk reflected maternal reactivity: the stronger mothers' depressive symptoms, the more they responded with negative parenting to children high in negative emotionality. The proposal that child vulnerability mediates the greater impact of mothers' depressive symptoms on negatively emotional children was verified only for separation distress. The results support the proposal that, when mothers are high in depressive symptoms, aversive characteristics of children and their behavior increasingly influence early adjustment and do so because they elicit negative parent behavior.

Arsenic contamination in groundwater and its effects on adolescent intelligence and social competence in Bangladesh with special reference to daily drinking/cooking water intake

The present study aims to investigate the relationship between arsenic (As) exposure and intelligence quotient (IQ) or social competence (SC) of Bangladeshi adolescents (aged 14 or 15years) in Sonargaon thana. Information about socioeconomic status (SES) was collected as confounding factors. To evaluate the relative contribution of As sources to total As intake, the As concentrations in urine and drinking/cooking water, and the amount of water added in cooking, were assessed on site using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The results confirmed that As exposure was essential to lower adolescent IQ or SC because they were negatively associated with As exposure after controlling for SES (particularly household income). Except for cooking water, the amount of drinking water varied with season and appeared to be the major As source because the As concentration in water was generally correlated with the As concentration in urine, and they were related to lower IQ or SC (even after controlling for SES). The FFQ survey revealed that rice was consumed the most frequently (more than once daily), followed by daal (bean) soup and nonleafy vegetables, but fish, meat, and eggs were consumed approximately once a week. Water intake per meal from cooked rice was estimated to be 616mL/person, followed by bean soup (258mL/person) and cooked vegetables (82mL/person). Our results suggest that water used for cooking might be an important source of As, and the cooking process can affect the amount of As in cooked food.

Evaluation of a psychosocial education program for families with congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is an inherited condition caused by an enzyme deficiency which leads to a potentially life threatening adrenal crisis. Poor compliance and any illness, injury, or major medical procedure can be life threatening. Medical interventions, counselling and timely education are essential for these families. This study evaluated a psychosocial education program (PEP) developed to meet the needs of families with a child with CAH, with the additional opportunity of exploring the impact of CAH on the child and family. Two hundred and two participants (parents/carers/ children with CAH and siblings), from 68 families took part in the study. Participants attended a full-day workshop which included information about CAH, a practical injection session, group discussions and provision of a resource folder. Data were collected to explore the impact of CAH on the child and family using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) and the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ). Sibling data were collected for comparison of the CAH group with siblings and population norms. Evaluation of the PEP involved baseline and follow-up (immediate, six months and 12 months post education) measures of knowledge using the CAH Knowledge Assessment Questionnaire (CAHKAQ) and a formal evaluation. Evaluation of the PEP showed that knowledge increased immediately following the PEP, which was maintained over time. Sick day management was seen to be the major challenge for families. Fathers’ and Mothers’ scores for behaviour (CAH group compared to siblings) were within population norms, although Father’s rated children with CAH, having lower social competence than siblings and norms. Fathers’ and Mothers’ were in agreement about the impact of CAH, with ratings lower than siblings and population norms for bodily pain & discomfort, general health of the child, and emotional impact on parents. The PEP achieved its major goal of increasing knowledge about CAH, and was positively evaluated by families. The workshop has now been incorporated into a DVD that is available to families and health professionals.