A1 Journal article (refereed)
Facial emotion recognition and social-emotional problems in middle childhood : Assessment of directional effects (2024)

Laamanen, P., Kiuru, N., Kiviruusu, O., & Lindblom, J. (2024). Facial emotion recognition and social-emotional problems in middle childhood : Assessment of directional effects. International Journal of Behavioral Development, OnlineFirst. https://doi.org/10.1177/01650254241233522

The research was funded by Strategic Research Council at the Research Council of Finland.

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Laamanen, Petra; Kiuru, Noona; Kiviruusu, Olli; Lindblom, Jallu

Journal or series: International Journal of Behavioral Development

ISSN: 0165-0254

eISSN: 1464-0651

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 29/02/2024

Volume: OnlineFirst

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/01650254241233522

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/93913

Abstract

Research has consistently shown that difficulties in facial emotion recognition (FER) are associated with peer problems and internalizing symptoms during middle childhood. However, no longitudinal research has investigated the direction of effects, that is, how these constructs influence each other across time. In this preregistered three-wave panel study, we tested the directional effects between FER, peer problems, and internalizing symptoms among Finnish school-aged children (n = 3,607; Mage = 8.20, SDage = 0.86; 51% female). The results of random-intercept cross-lagged panel models showed that a low FER accuracy and high biases toward happiness and sadness correlated with higher levels of peer problems and internalizing symptoms at the between-person level. However, we found no evidence of directional effects at the within-person level. Overall, our findings suggest that these constructs might be associated because of shared underlying causes, rather than mutually influencing one another in middle childhood.

Keywords: facial recognition (computer science); children (age groups)

Free keywords: facial emotion recognition; middle childhood; peer relationships; internalizing symptoms

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2024

Preliminary JUFO rating: 2