1-150 - Novel Investigations of Social Withdrawal Variations and Associations with Socio-emotional Adjustment During Adolescence

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

Youth stay away or socially withdraw from others for several reasons, including: 1) shyness – wanting to socialize but being inhibited by anxiety, 2) unsociability – a non-fearful preference for solitude, and 3) social avoidance – disliking social interaction. Theoretically, shyness and avoidance, but not unsociability, are thought to be associated with socio-emotional maladjustment. Empirical evidence, however, is mixed or limited. Furthermore, little is known about different types of social withdrawal during the adolescent period, when developmental changes (e.g., increased self-consciousness, control over socializing, and appreciation for solitude) likely affect withdrawal and its implications.

This symposium extends research by providing new and nuanced insight into the complex associations between social withdrawal and intra- and inter-personal adjustment during adolescence. Specifically, we present innovative investigations of: 1) the novel construct of aloneliness (dissatisfaction with the amount of time spent alone) as a mediator of the links between adolescents’ preference for solitude (unsociability), but not shyness, and negative affect in Canada, 2) the unique relations between adolescents’ shyness, unsociability, and avoidance and adjustment problems in the US, and 3) the caste system as a source of within-culture variability in the expression of withdrawal and associated psychological outcomes among young adolescents in India. The three papers utilize different approaches to enhance understanding of the outcomes associated with withdrawal during adolescence, and are complementary in their research questions. Our discussant, an international expert on adolescents’ withdrawal, will evaluate and discuss the papers, and bring attention to the importance of the symposium findings for future research and clinical intervention.

Sub Unit

• Social Relationships

Chair

• Natalie D. Eggum-Wilkens, Arizona State University

Discussant

• Luc Goossens, KU Leuven

Individual Presentations

• Seeking Sol-AS: Conceptualization, Assessment, and Implications of Aloneliness in Adolescence - Presenting Author: Robert J Coplan, Carleton University; Non-Presenting Author: Will E Hipson, Carleton University; Non-Presenting Author: Katherine R. Wood, Carleton University; Non-Presenting Author: Danielle Baldwin, Carleton University; Non-Presenting Author: Lori K. Watanabe, Carleton University

• Shyness, Unsociability, and Social Avoidance in Adolescence and Associations with Peer, Psychological, and School Adjustment - Presenting Author: Natalie D. Eggum-Wilkens, Arizona State University; Non-Presenting Author: Danming An, Arizona State University; Non-Presenting Author: Sierra Clifford, Arizona State University; Non-Presenting Author: Kathryn Lemery-Chalfant, Arizona State University

• Ramifications of the Caste System for Young Adolescent Social Withdrawal and Associated Outcomes in Urban India - Presenting Author: Julie C Bowker, University at Buffalo, SUNY; Non-Presenting Author: Rebecca G. Etkin, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York; Non-Presenting Author: Matthew H. Bowker, Medaille College; Non-Presenting Author: Shanmukh Kamble, Karnatak University; Non-Presenting Author: Hemapriya Navaindran, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York