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Aggression and Withdrawal Related Behavior within Conflict Management Progression in Preschool Boys with Language Impairment

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Abstract

Objective

This study examined conflict behavior in naturalistic preschool settings to better understand the role of non-affiliative behavior and language in conflict management.

Method

Free-play at preschool was filmed among 20 boys with typically developing language (TL) and among 11 boys with Language Impairment (LI); the boys 4–7 years old. Conflict behavior was coded and analyzed with a validated system. Post-conflict non-affiliative behavior (aggression and withdrawal) displays, and the links between the displays and reconciliation (i.e., former opponents exchange friendly behavioral shortly after conflict termination) was examined.

Results

Group comparisons revealed boys with LI displayed aggression in a smaller share of conflicts, but exhibited ‘active’ withdrawal (left the room), in a larger conflict share. Boys with TL overcame aggression (more common TL behavior) and after reconciled, to a greater extent than the boys with LI after active withdrawal (more common LI behavior). Also, after reciprocal or only verbal aggression, boys with LI reconciled to a lesser extent than boys with TL.

Conclusions

The boys with LI demonstrated difficulties confronting conflict management, as well as concluding emotionally heightened and aggressive behavioral turns.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the preschool children and staff, who made the study possible and A. J. Forsberg Lindqvist for contributing to developing the coding system and conflict analysis. The work was supported by Swedish Medical Research Council, Bank of Sweden Tercentenary Foundation, Swedish Society of Medicine, May Flower Annual Campaign, Foundation Söderström-Königska Sjukhemmet, Solstickan Foundation, Magnus Bergvalls Research Foundation, Claes Groschinsky Memory Foundation, Pfannenstillska Memory Foundations, Kempe-Carlgrenska Foundation, and Fredrik and Ingrid Thurings Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Karolinska Institutet, Department of Woman and Child Health, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit, Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden

    Laura Horowitz

  2. The Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control, Solna, Sweden

    Karolina Westlund

  3. Research and Development Centre, Sörmland County Council, Eskilstuna, Sweden

    Tomas Ljungberg

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  1. Laura Horowitz
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  2. Karolina Westlund
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  3. Tomas Ljungberg
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Correspondence to Laura Horowitz.

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Horowitz, L., Westlund, K. & Ljungberg, T. Aggression and Withdrawal Related Behavior within Conflict Management Progression in Preschool Boys with Language Impairment. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 38, 237–253 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-007-0057-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-007-0057-6

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