THE ROLE OF CHILDRENS FUTURE EXPECTATIONS IN SELF-SYSTEM FUNCTIONING AND ADJUSTMENT TO LIFE STRESS - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF URBAN AT-RISK CHILDREN

Study I examined relationships between an interview measure of childre n's future expectations and variables reflecting self-system functioni ng with 136 9-11-year-old urban children exposed to high psychosocial stress. As expected, future expectations related to affect regulation, self-representations, and school adjustment. Study II, done with a su bsample of the original group, showed that early positive future expec tations predicted enhanced socioemotional adjustment in school and a m ore internal locus of control 2 1/2-3 1/2 years later and acted as a p rotective factor in reducing the negative effects of high stress on se lf-rated competence. These findings: (a) are consistent with prior dat a showing positive expectations to be characteristic of resilient chil dren; (b) suggest that early positive future expectations influence la ter adjustment; and (c) underscore the role children have in actively structuring their environments and, thus, influencing their developmen t. The heuristic value of the construct of self for future studies of resilience is suggested, and implications for preventive interventions are considered.