The longitudinal role of early family risks and early social-emotional problems for friendship quality in preadolescence—A regression model

The quality of a best friendship provides information about how developmentally beneficial it is. However, little is known about possible early risk factors that influence later friendship quality. The present study examined the role of family risks and social-emotional problems (behavioral problems, peer problems, anxious, and depressive symptoms) in early childhood for positive (i.e., support and help) and negative (i.e., conflicts and betrayal) dimensions of friendship quality with their best friend in preadolescence. 293 children (47.9% female) aged 2–4, their parents and teachers participated in the study with three measurement occasions (T1; Mage = 2.81, T2; Mage = 3.76, T3; Mage = 9.69). The last measurement occasion was at the age of 9–11 years. Results of the longitudinal regression model showed that depressive symptoms in early childhood were associated with a lower positive dimension of friendship quality in preadolescence. In contrast, early anxious symptoms were related to a higher positive dimension of friendship quality six years later. Neither family risks, nor behavioral problems and peer problems in early childhood were linked to the positive dimension of friendship quality in preadolescence. No early predictors were found for the negative dimension of friendship quality. Possible reasons for the lack of associations are discussed. Findings suggest that children with early depressive symptoms at 3–5 years of age should be the targets of potential interventions to form high quality friendships in preadolescence. Possible interventions are mentioned.

NEET-youth and their participation in protest activities as a factor of possible «color revolutions»

The article attempts to analyze such a new youth group for Russia as NEET-youth. The example of European countries, which were the first to experience such a problem, explores the mechanisms of inclusion of young people in the NEET-youth group, family risks and social prerequisites, special features that characterize the stay of young people in the NEET group. An analysis of political and socio-economic preferences has been carried out. The state of NEET-youth group in modern Russia has been studied. The involvement of NEET-youth in virtual and real protest actions organized and carried out by various opposition youth social organizations and groups is described. The conclusion of increased risk for NEET youth group members and potential involvement in «color revolutions» is justified.

The Protective Role of Childcare Quality for Behavioral Adjustment in 3- to 5-Year-Old Children

This study examined the role of childcare process quality regarding the relation between family risks and preschoolers’ social–emotional problems. The study included 24 childcare centers with 42 groups in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. The 162 children in the sample were aged 3 – 5 years. Parents and teachers completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-Deu). Eight family risk factors were subsumed into a cumulative risk index. Childcare process quality was assessed by various observation instruments, for example, the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ITERS-R) and the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS–R). The calculated structural equation models show that high-quality teaching and interaction, and provisions for learning, can mitigate the negative effects of family risks on children’s internalizing problems. High process quality can provide the chance of considerable attention, encouragement, and new learning opportunities for children at risk; these high-quality centers thereby contribute to protective processes.

Letter to The Times

A joint letter to The Times from Winnicott, Bowlby, Fordham, Anna Freud, Miller, MacKeith, and Soddy on the need for courts to act swiftly to decide on custody and adoption cases, with reference to the ‘blood-tie’ adoption child. They argue that delay in settling the infant in a family risks doing permanent harm.