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The goal of the present study was to empirically examine different conceptual mechanisms previously postulated to underlie the development of social avoidance in childhood. Participants were N = 601 children (321 boys, 280 girls) attending elementary schools (Mage = 10.21 years) and middle schools (Mage = 12.77 years) in Shanghai, P.R. China. Measures of motivations for social withdrawal (shyness, unsociability, social avoidance) and socio-emotional adjustment were collected using self-reports and peer nominations at two time-points separated by 9 months. Results from cross-lagged panel analyses indicated that: (1) social avoidance and symptoms of social anxiety were not reciprocally related over time; (2) Time 1 social avoidance predicted incremental change in Time 2 peer problems (whereas Time 1 peer problems did not predict incremental change in Time 2 social avoidance); and (3) Time 1 symptoms of depression significantly predicted incremental change in Time 2 social avoidance (whereas Time 1 social avoidance did not predict incremental change in Time 2 symptoms of depression). These results provide evidence in support of depressive symptoms (but not symptoms of social anxiety or peer problems) as a salient predictor of social avoidance. Results are discussed in terms of the development and implications of social avoidance in Chinese culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the present study was to examine the relations between the cognitive (i.e., expectations) and emotional (i.e., anxiety, anger) components of rejection sensitivity and adjustment among Chinese children. Participants were N = 654 children (grades four to seven) in Shanghai, China. Measures of rejection sensitivity, socio-emotional functioning, and academic achievement were collected via multi-source assessment. Among the results, the anxiety component was associated with psychological problems (e.g., social anxiety, lower self-worth), whereas the anger component was associated with social and behavioral problems (e.g., peer victimization, lower peer preference, total difficulties). Rejection expectations were associated with the widest range of adjustment difficulties. The current findings suggest that rejection sensitivity poses considerable risk for Chinese youth, and that the emotional and cognitive components of rejection sensitivity should be viewed as distinct vulnerabilities for risk. Results are discussed in terms of the unique implications of rejection sensitivity in Chinese culture. • Social affiliation and acceptance are highly valued in Chinese culture • Rejection sensitivity may pose particular risk for adjustment difficulties in China • Expectations of rejection were associated with a variety of adjustment difficulties • The anxiety component was uniquely associated with psychological difficulties • The anger component was uniquely associated with social and behavioral problems [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]