Subtypes of childhood social withdrawal and adult relationship and parenting outcomes

The aims of the current 30 year prospective study were to determine: (1) whether socially withdrawn kindergarten children are less likely than others to enter serious romantic relationships or become parents by age 34, (2) whether socially withdrawn children parent differently than non-withdrawn individuals when they grow up, and (3) whether subtypes of withdrawal are associated with different adult outcomes.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 (Mage = 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 Overall, the group of socially withdrawn children was no more or less likely than the non-withdrawn group to be in a current relationship or a parent, nor did they report any differences in parenting.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the active-isolate subtype of social withdrawal, characterized by impulsivity and anger, was less likely than the non-withdrawn group to be in a current relationship (B = −1.24, p 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 This study suggests socially withdrawn children in the United States fare similarly to non-withdrawn peers in adulthood in their romantic relationships and parenting, but a subgroup of active-isolate children may be at risk of not entering adult relationships.

Duke Scholars

Author Jennifer Lansford Sanford School of Public Policy

Author Emmy Reilly  

Author Kenneth A. Dodge Sanford School of Public Policy

Author Yu Bai