Relationship quality and the mentoring of aggressive, high-risk children.

We used data from a randomized clinical trial to examine the degree to which relationship quality predicted outcomes for aggressive children in two different mentoring programs. Data were available for 145 aggressive children in Grades 2 and 3. Children were blocked by school and randomly assigned to PrimeTime (n = 75) or Lunch Buddy (n = 70) programs.

Reducing potential mental health issues and alcohol abuse through an early prevention model for victims of peer harassment.

Psychological disability, including alcohol abuse and mental health issues, are associated with numerous interpersonal, intrapersonal, and occupational difficulties. Employers often bear the greatest economic impact of maladaptive behavior due to greater employee turnover, poor work performance, and other negative work outcomes. Despite these negative outcomes, researchers have yet to examine possible benefits of prevention and intervention programs designed specifically to limit adulthood occupational problems.

The importance of conscientiousness in adolescent interpersonal relationships.

This research examined how conscientiousness contributes to adolescents' positive peer relationships and vulnerability to poorer ones. Given its temperamental origins in effortful control, conscientiousness was expected to be particularly important. A total of 256 fifth to eighth graders completed personality, peer-relationship, and victimization measures.

Interpersonal conflict, agreeableness, and personality development.

This multimethod research linked the Big-Five personality dimensions to interpersonal conflict in childhood. Agreeableness was the personality dimension of focus because this dimension has been associated with maintaining positive interpersonal relations in adolescents and adults. In two studies, elementary school children were assessed on the Big-Five domains of personality.