ADAPTIVE BEHAVIORS AMONG PSYCHIATRICALLY HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN - THE ROLE OF INTELLIGENCE AND RELATED ATTRIBUTES

Examined adaptive behaviors among 126 psychiatrically hospitalized chi ldren. Intelligence has previously been found to serve protective func tions for the maintenance of socially competent behaviors. In this stu dy, two constructs in addition to intelligence, possibly associated wi th this protective effect, were examined: level of academic achievemen t and the distinction between internalizing and externalizing symptoma tology. Sex effects were also examined. Of the variables examined, ach ievement showed the strongest associations with different types of ada ptive behaviors. Further, achievement levels appeared to mediate the m odest associations that were found for intelligence. Type of symptomat ology had significant associations with adaptive behaviors chiefly in the socialization domain, and these effects seemed largely independent of both IQ and achievement. Results are discussed in terms of implica tions for interventions with psychiatrically hospitalized children.