Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Department of Psychology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
Br J Dev Psychol. 2018 Sep;36(3):501-507. doi: 10.1111/bjdp.12236. Epub 2018 Jan 22.
The purpose of this study was to provide additional psychometric support for the Preference for Solitary Play Interview (PSPI) and to examine the associations between self-reported preference for solitary play and indices of adjustment in early childhood. Participants were N = 340 children attending kindergarten and grade 1. Children completed the PSPI, and teachers provided assessments of children's socio-emotional and school adjustment. In support of the validity of the PSPI, preference for solitary play was positively associated with asocial behaviours. Further, preference for solitary play displayed an indirect (but not direct) association with peer exclusion via asocial behaviours. Findings are discussed in terms of the social and behavioural implications of preference for solitary play in early childhood. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Children who spend more time alone are at increased risk of adjustment difficulties. However, some individuals desire to spend time alone because of an appreciation for solitude. A preference for solitude is not associated with negative adjustment in adults and older youth. What does this study add? This study is among the first to examine self-reported preference for solitary in early childhood. Preference for solitude may not be related to emotional or school difficulties in young children. However, a heightened display of solitary behaviours may still evoke negative responses from peers.
本研究旨在为独自游戏偏好访谈（PSPI）提供更多的心理计量学支持，并探讨儿童早期自我报告的独自游戏偏好与适应指标之间的关系。参与者为 N=340 名幼儿园和一年级的儿童。儿童完成了 PSPI，教师提供了儿童社会情感和学校适应的评估。为了支持 PSPI 的有效性，独自游戏偏好与反社会行为呈正相关。此外，通过反社会行为，独自游戏偏好与同伴排斥呈间接（而非直接）关联。研究结果从儿童早期独自游戏偏好的社会和行为影响方面进行了讨论。
