Showing papers by "Julie C. Bowker published in 2013"

Peer Relationships in Childhood

Abstract: An early view of the development of adaptive and maladaptive behaviors during childhood and adolescence suggested that such outcomes stemmed largely from the quality of the child’s relationship with his or her parents and from the types of socialization practices that the parents engaged in. This primary focus on the developmental significance of the parent-child relationship and of parenting practices was proposed early by Freud (1933) in his theory of psychosexual development, by Sears, Maccoby, and Levin (1957) in their seminal research on the significance of discipline variability and social learning, and by Bowlby (1958) in his influential writings on the long-term developmental importance of the mother-infant attachment relationship. Without denying the veracity of these claims, it is nevertheless the case that adjustment and maladjustment in childhood stem from a wide variety of sources including genetic and biological underpinnings and social influences other than parents. For example, children and adolescents spend enormous amounts of time, both in and out of home, relating to and interacting with many other people of potential influence. These significant others include their siblings, teachers or out-of-home caregivers, and peers. Children’s peers are the focus of the present chapter.

The handbook of solitude: Psychological perspectives on social isolation, social withdrawal, and being alone.

Abstract: Julie C. Bowker is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University at Bu alo, State University of New York. Her research program focuses on the roles that close interpersonal relationships play in socio-emotional development and psychopathology during late childhood and early adolescence. “Solitude has had a bad name in our society, and in our psychology: it is o en equated with isolation, loneliness, shyness, and social awkwardness. e Handbook discusses these, but abundantly treats the other side – solitude that fosters insight, connection, creativity, introspection, healing, and enlightenment. is is a badly needed and broadly focused antidote for the negative approach, and its group of expert contributors provides a fuller understanding of a state people o en experience, and sometimes need.” Peter Suedfeld, Dean Emeritus of Graduate Studies and Professor Emeritus of Psychology, e University of British Columbia

Contributions of Racial and Sociobehavioral Homophily to Friendship Stability and Quality Among Same-Race and Cross-Race Friends:

Abstract: The current study examined how racial and sociobehavioral similarities were associated with friendship stability and friendship quality. Cross-race friends were not significantly similar to each other in peer-nominated shyness/withdrawal, victimization, exclusion, and popularity/sociability. Relative to same-race friends, cross-race friends were significantly less similar in peer-nominated popularity/sociability, exclusion, and victimization. Although same-race friendships were more prevalent than cross-race friendships, only similarity in friends' aggressive behavior (but not racial homophily) was related to friendship stability. Neither racial nor sociobehavioral similarity predicted friendship quality beyond adolescents' individual sociobehavioral characteristics. Taken together, findings suggest that although racial similarity may affect initial friendship formation, racial similarity may not impact friendship stability or friendship quality when also accounting for friends' similarity in sociobehavioral characteristics. Language: en

Peers and Obesity during Childhood and Adolescence: A Review of the Empirical Research on Peers, Eating, and Physical Activity

Abstract: Obesity during childhood and adolescence is a growing problem in the United States, Canada, and around the world that leads to significant physical, psychological, and social impairment. In recent years, empirical research on factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of obesity has begun to consider peer experiences, such as peer rejection, peer victimization, and friendship. Peer experiences have been theoretically and empirically related to the “Big Two” contributors to the obesity epidemic, eating and physical activity, but there has not been a comprehensive review of the extant empirical literature. In this article, we review and synthesize the emerging theoretical and empirical literatures on peer experiences in relation to: (a) eating (food consumption and food selection); and (b) physical activity, during childhood and adolescence. A number of limitations and issues in the theoretical and empirical literatures are also discussed, along with future research directions. In conclusion, we argue that the involvement of children and adolescents’ peer networks in prevention and intervention efforts may be critical for promoting and maintaining positive behavioral health trajectories.

Examining Appearance-Based Rejection Sensitivity During Early Adolescence

Abstract: The present study of 150 adolescents (M age = 13.05 years) examined the associations between appearance-based rejection sensitivity (Appearance-RS) and psychological adjustment during early adolescence, and evaluated three types of other-gender peer experiences (other-gender friendship, peer acceptance, and romantic relationships) as moderators. Appearance-RS was found to be uniquely related to two types of social anxiety, but not to self-esteem. Other-gender friendship emerged as a protective factor, whereas high other-gender peer acceptance emerged as a risk factor (especially for boys), after controlling for same-gender mutual best friendship involvement and peer acceptance. Results highlight the importance of distinguishing between different types of other-gender peer experiences during early adolescence and suggest that Appearance-RS during adolescence warrants further investigation.

Similarity Between Friends in Social Information Processing and Associations With Positive Friendship Quality and Conflict

Abstract: This study of 166 best friend dyads ( M = 10.88 years) examined (a) whether children and their best friends were similar in social information processing (SIP) that pertained to two relationship contexts (unfamiliar peer, friend); (b) the associations between children's and their best friends' SIP and friendship quality and conflict ratings; and (c) the relations between SIP similarity and dyadic friendship ratings. Analyses revealed a greater number of similarities for the friend context (hypothetical scenarios involving each other) than the unfamiliar-peer context (scenarios involving unknown peers). Significant relations were found, in both relationship contexts, between children's angry reactions, appeasement coping, and friendship quality ratings, and between external blame attributions and appeasement coping, and conflict ratings. A number of significant associations between similarity, or lack thereof, in aggression -related SIP and friendship qualities suggest that the extent to which children and their friends are similar in aggression-related SIP may explain some variability in the quality of friendships.

An Investigation of Desired Friendships During Early Adolescence

Abstract: This study of 384 young adolescents (45% girls, M age = 12.94 years) and their desired friendships (friendships that adolescents indicate they would like to form in the future) examined whether (a)...