Subtypes of Childhood Social Withdrawal and Adult Relationship and Parenting Outcomes
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| Title: | Subtypes of Childhood Social Withdrawal and Adult Relationship and Parenting Outcomes |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Emily B. Reilly (ORCID |
| Source: | International Journal of Behavioral Development. 2026 50(1):14-22. |
| 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: | 9 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (DHHS/NIH) Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (DHHS/NIH) National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) (DHHS/PHS) |
| Contract Number: | MH56961 MH57024 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Early Childhood Education Elementary Education Kindergarten Primary Education |
| Descriptors: | Longitudinal Studies, Kindergarten, Young Children, Adults, Withdrawal (Psychology), Social Isolation, Parenting Styles, Dating (Social), Marriage, Psychological Patterns, Socioeconomic Status, Check Lists, Child Behavior, Social Behavior, Environmental Influences, Family Influence |
| Geographic Terms: | Indiana, Tennessee (Nashville), Tennessee |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: | Hollingshead Social Economic Status Measures, Child Behavior Checklist |
| DOI: | 10.1177/01650254241287220 |
| ISSN: | 0165-0254 1464-0651 |
| Abstract: | The aims of the current 30 year prospective study were to determine: (1) whether socially withdrawn kindergarten children are less likely than others to enter serious romantic relationships or become parents by age 34, (2) whether socially withdrawn children parent differently than non-withdrawn individuals when they grow up, and (3) whether subtypes of withdrawal are associated with different adult outcomes. Following Harrist et al. (1997), 558 kindergarten children (81% White, 17% Black) were categorized into one of the five groups: four clusters of social withdrawal (n = 95 unsociable, 23 passive-anxious, 18 active-isolate, and 25 sad/depressed) or non-withdrawal (n = 397), using directly observed school behavior and teacher ratings. About 30 years later (M[subscript age] = 34.45 years, SD = 0.62 years), participants self-reported on their romantic relationship and parent status and parenting warmth and harshness. Overall, the group of socially withdrawn children was no more or less likely than the non-withdrawn group to be in a current relationship or a parent, nor did they report any differences in parenting. However, the active-isolate subtype of social withdrawal, characterized by impulsivity and anger, was less likely than the non-withdrawn group to be in a current relationship (B = -1.24, p < 0.05). This study suggests socially withdrawn children in the United States fare similarly to non-withdrawn peers in adulthood in their romantic relationships and parenting, but a subgroup of active-isolate children may be at risk of not entering adult relationships. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1495429 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | The aims of the current 30 year prospective study were to determine: (1) whether socially withdrawn kindergarten children are less likely than others to enter serious romantic relationships or become parents by age 34, (2) whether socially withdrawn children parent differently than non-withdrawn individuals when they grow up, and (3) whether subtypes of withdrawal are associated with different adult outcomes. Following Harrist et al. (1997), 558 kindergarten children (81% White, 17% Black) were categorized into one of the five groups: four clusters of social withdrawal (n = 95 unsociable, 23 passive-anxious, 18 active-isolate, and 25 sad/depressed) or non-withdrawal (n = 397), using directly observed school behavior and teacher ratings. About 30 years later (M[subscript age] = 34.45 years, SD = 0.62 years), participants self-reported on their romantic relationship and parent status and parenting warmth and harshness. Overall, the group of socially withdrawn children was no more or less likely than the non-withdrawn group to be in a current relationship or a parent, nor did they report any differences in parenting. However, the active-isolate subtype of social withdrawal, characterized by impulsivity and anger, was less likely than the non-withdrawn group to be in a current relationship (B = -1.24, p < 0.05). This study suggests socially withdrawn children in the United States fare similarly to non-withdrawn peers in adulthood in their romantic relationships and parenting, but a subgroup of active-isolate children may be at risk of not entering adult relationships. |
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| ISSN: | 0165-0254 1464-0651 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/01650254241287220 |
