Mutual prediction of peer relationship and internalizing problem of preschool children

Abstract

Objective To investigate the mutual prediction relationship between peer relationship and internalizing problem.

Methods One-year follow up survey was conducted with a sample of 220 preschool children from 4 kindergartens in Shandong province. The quality of peer relationship and degree of internalizing problem were evaluated with the Peer Relationship Scale and the Child Behavior Checklist Cross-lagged panel analysis was used for mutual prediction among variables.

Results The quality of preschool children’s peer relationship showed an increasing trend with grade ( F = 6.40, 4.81, P<0.01), while the degree of internalizing problem showed a downward trend ( F = 7.65, 5.46, P<0.01). The predictive effect of pre-test peer relationship and internalizing problem on post-test corresponding behaviors were all statistically significant ( β = 0. 56, 0. 49, P< 0. 01). The predictive effect of pre-test peer relationship on post-test internalizing problem was statistically significant( β = -0.19, P<0.05).

Conclusion Both peer relationship and internalizing problem has a certain stability across time, and early peer relationship and internalizing problem could predict later corresponding behaviors. Early peer relationship can predict later internalizing problem, while early internalizing problem cannot predict later peer relationship.

Abstract

【摘要】 目的考察学龄前儿童同伴关系和内化问题之间的相互预测关系, 为有效改善儿童青少年心理健康状况提供参 考依据。 方法采用整群抽样方法, 使用儿童社会性发展量表和儿童行为核对表对山东省荷泽市4所幼儿园220名学龄 前儿童进行为期1年的追踪调查, 采用交叉滞后分析考察主要变量之间的相互预测关系。 结果随着年级升高, 学龄前儿 童的同伴关系得分呈上升趋势 ( F值分别为6.40和4.81, P 值均<0.01), 而内化问题得分则呈下降趋势 ( F值分别为7.65 和5.46, P 值均<0.01);学龄前儿童前测时的同伴关系和内化问题对后测对应行为的预测作用均有统计学意义 ( β值分别 为0.56,0.49, P 值均<0.01);前测同伴关系对后测内化问题的预测作用有统计学意义 (β = -0.19, P<0.05)。 结论同伴关 系和内化问题均表现出跨时间的稳定性, 早期同伴关系和内化问题均能预测后期的对应行为。早期同伴关系能够预测后 期内化问题, 而早期内化问题无法预测后期同伴关系。