Children's social status as a function of emotionality and attention control

A recent meta-analysis found that across studies individual differences in aspects of children's emotionality predict social status [Dougherty, L.R., (2006). Children's emotionality and social status: a meta-analytic review. Social Development, 15, 394-417.]. In the present study we extended these findings by examining the emotion of interest and child characteristics (positive emotionality, attention control, and sex) that might moderate relations between negative emotionality and social status. Based on a sample of 154 middle-class, rural, predominantly Caucasian 1st- and 2nd-grade children, individual differences in interest and happiness correlated with children's social status. High levels of negative emotionality (i.e., anger and/or sadness), however, attenuated the otherwise beneficial social effects of interest, happiness, and attention control. Overall, emotionality and attention control accounted for 24% of the variance in peer nominations for being liked. We discuss implications for the promotion of young children's social development. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.