Children's action-control behaviors (coping): A longitudinal validation of the behavioral inventory of strategic control

Todd D. Little, David F. Lopez, Brigitte Wanner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Integrating multi-axial models with an action-theory perspective, we propose that children's coping strategies vary along four dimensions of strategic behavioral control: Direct Action, Indirect Action, Prosocial Action, and Antisocial Action. The Behavioral Inventory of Strategic Control (BISC) assesses these four general dimensions of strategic control. We contrast these four axial dimensions with six specific strategic combinations: Avoidance (Indirect-Antisocial), Emotional Support Seeking (Indirect-Prosocial), Social Exploitation (Indirect-Antisocial), Social Cooperation (Direct-Prosocial), Aggressive Individualism (Direct-Antisocial) and Hostility (Indirect-Antisocial). In a short-term longitudinal study (three occasions over four months) of 318 children (grades 2-6), we examined the validity of the BISC, showing that the hypothesized dimensional structure of children's strategic control behavior was strongly supported.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)315-336
Number of pages22
JournalAnxiety, Stress and Coping
Volume14
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

Keywords

  • Action-control theory
  • Coping
  • Middle childhood

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