Social withdrawal in Russian youth: using the Extended Class Play to examine socio-emotional and academic adjustment

Abstract

This study explored the socio-emotional characteristics and school adjustment of shy/socially withdrawn youth and examined the properties of the Extended Class Play (ECP), a common peer measure of shyness/withdrawal and other social behaviour with Russian early adolescents (n = 106; mean age 12.5). Associations between the ECP scores and teacher- and self-reports of adjustment (e.g. internalising problems) provided evidence supporting use of the ECP with Russian adolescents. Similar to North American studies, results also indicated that shy/socially withdrawn Russian youth tended to be more excluded, report greater internalising problems and were also more asocial than a comparison group. No differences were found between shy/socially withdrawn and non-withdrawn adolescents in victimisation/exclusion and academic performance. The discussion emphasises the need for further examination of potential role of teacher-directed social interactions and classroom norms across the cultural contexts.