ROLES OF TEMPERAMENTAL AROUSAL AND GENDER-SEGREGATED PLAY IN YOUNG CHILDRENS SOCIAL-ADJUSTMENT

The hypothesis that gender differences in children's adjustment is par tially influenced by differences in temperament and interactions with same-sex peers was examined. Fifty-seven predominantly White, middle-c lass preschoolers (29 boys and 28 girls, M age = 54.5 months) particip ated. Measures were taken of children's arousability, problem behavior s, and tendencies to play with same-sex peers. A semester later, child ren's peer status was assessed. Analyses revealed that arousability an d same-sex peer play interacted to predict problem behaviors. For boys high in arousability, play with same-sex peers increased problem beha viors. In contrast, arousable girls who played with other girls were r elatively unlikely to show problem behaviors. Moreover, the interactio n of arousability and same-sex peer play predicted boys' (but not girl s') peer status, and this relation was partially mediated by problem b ehaviors. The role of gender-related processes is discussed.