Anxious Solitude, Unsociability, and Peer Exclusion in Middle Childhood: A Multitrait-Multimethod Matrix

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Tamara L. Spangler (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Heidi Gazelle

Abstract: The goal of the present study was to examine convergent and divergent validity among multiple informants (peers, teachers, child self-reports, observers, and parents) for childhood anxious solitude (solitary behavior due to social anxiety), unsociability (solitary behavior due to lack of interest in peers), and peer exclusion (being left out of peer activities). Participants were 688 children (334 male, 354 female) in third grade (M age at the outset of the study = 8.66 years, SD = .50). Naturalistic behavioral observations at recess and parent reports were available for a subset of the larger sample (n = 163, 67 male, 96 female). A multitrait-multimethod correlation matrix and structural equation modeling of this matrix were computed. As expected, peers demonstrated the best convergent validity. Results suggest that AS, unsociability, and peer exclusion highly correlate, which points to the importance of making clear definitions and distinctions when measuring constructs.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2007
Keywords
childhood, anxious solitude, social withdrawal, multitrait-multimethod, structural equation modeling, multiple informant agreement

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