Examining Links between Motivations for Social Withdrawal, Time Spent Alone, and Indices of Internalizing Problems in Childhood and Early Adolescence
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| Title: | Examining Links between Motivations for Social Withdrawal, Time Spent Alone, and Indices of Internalizing Problems in Childhood and Early Adolescence |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Stefania Sette (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Early Adolescence. 2025 45(6):769-793. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 25 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Elementary Education Junior High Schools Middle Schools Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Elementary School Students, Middle School Students, Social Isolation, Withdrawal (Psychology), Shyness, Anxiety, Extraversion Introversion, Student Motivation, Depression (Psychology), Student Characteristics, Interpersonal Competence, Self Esteem, Locus of Control, Social Problems, Student Adjustment, Emotional Adjustment |
| Geographic Terms: | Italy |
| DOI: | 10.1177/02724316241279003 |
| ISSN: | 0272-4316 1552-5449 |
| Abstract: | This study investigated links between motivations for social withdrawal, time spent alone, and indices of internalizing difficulties. Participants were 169 (n = 96 girls) children and early adolescents aged 8-14 years (M[subscript age] = 10.82, SD = 1.78). Children completed self-report measures of motivations for social withdrawal (shyness, unsociability), time spent alone, and indices of internalizing difficulties (social anxiety, depression, loneliness), whereas parents provided a broader rating of children's internalizing symptoms. Among the results, at higher levels of shyness, time spent alone was positively related to social anxiety, but this association was attenuated at lower levels of shyness. Higher levels of unsociability weakened the positive association between time spent alone and loneliness. Time alone was more strongly related to depression for early adolescents. These findings highlight the differential implications of solitude for shy children and early adolescents, who might experience more discomfort and anxiety compared to their more unsociable counterparts. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1467697 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | This study investigated links between motivations for social withdrawal, time spent alone, and indices of internalizing difficulties. Participants were 169 (n = 96 girls) children and early adolescents aged 8-14 years (M[subscript age] = 10.82, SD = 1.78). Children completed self-report measures of motivations for social withdrawal (shyness, unsociability), time spent alone, and indices of internalizing difficulties (social anxiety, depression, loneliness), whereas parents provided a broader rating of children's internalizing symptoms. Among the results, at higher levels of shyness, time spent alone was positively related to social anxiety, but this association was attenuated at lower levels of shyness. Higher levels of unsociability weakened the positive association between time spent alone and loneliness. Time alone was more strongly related to depression for early adolescents. These findings highlight the differential implications of solitude for shy children and early adolescents, who might experience more discomfort and anxiety compared to their more unsociable counterparts. |
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| ISSN: | 0272-4316 1552-5449 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/02724316241279003 |
