Suchergebnisse

Abstract
Understanding how to best support resettled refugee children's social adjustment is paramount, yet such research is scarce. In this study, we examined the prosocial functioning of refugee children who had recently resettled in Canada (N = 93; 5- to 12-year-olds; Mage = 8.16; 55% girls). Children described instances when they helped and received help from someone, and the motivations behind each helping behaviour. In narratives about providing help, children most frequently reported direct help. In narratives about receiving help, children most frequently described being taught something. Consistent with previous work with Western and non-refugee children, the children most frequently reported sympathy-based motives. However, they also frequently cited relationship-based motives—a finding which may be unique to refugee experiences (e.g. separation from family). We found developmental differences in the types of prosocial behaviours and motivations. Implications for future culturally sensitive assessments of refugee children's positive social adjustment and mental health outcomes are discussed.

AbstractFalse‐belief understanding and executive functions are two main sociocognitive abilities reliably linked to child social competence. Although institution‐reared children are especially at risk for behavioral problems and cognitive delays, the role that executive function and false‐belief understanding might play in the social withdrawal of institutionalized children has not been examined. The current study used two‐wave data to investigate the concurrent and longitudinal relations of social withdrawal with executive function and false‐belief understanding in institutionalized children; it also allowed investigation of the directionality between executive function and false‐belief understanding. Data were collected from 66 Turkish children (T1 M = 57.83 months, SD = 9.20; T2 M = 69.58 months, SD = 8.45) residing in institutions, at two time points, approximately 1 year apart. We measured false‐belief understanding and executive function via individual assessments, and social withdrawal via care provider reports at both time points. Results showed that both executive function and false‐belief understanding increased between T1 and T2, while social withdrawal did not show a significant change. Path analysis revealed that when T1 age and language were controlled, T1 executive function predicted T2 executive function, and in turn, T2 executive function predicted lessened social withdrawal at T2. In addition, T1 executive function predicted T2 false‐belief understanding. T1 false‐belief understanding was not related to T2 false‐belief understanding, executive function, or social withdrawal. Findings suggested that executive function is an important predictor of social withdrawal in high‐risk populations.