Dataset belonging to Developmental Pathways to Preference and Popularity in Middle Childhood

This study examined the associations between children’s early life experiences with parents, ego resiliency and ego-undercontrol, and peer group social status in a longitudinal, multi-method study from infancy to middle childhood. Participants were 129 children (52% boys) who were followed from 15 months of age to 9 years and their primary caregivers from the Nijmegen Longitudinal Study on Infant and Child Development (NLS). The measurements included observations of parent-child interaction, teacher ratings of ego-resiliency and ego-undercontrol, and peer-reported social status. Quality of parental interactive behavior was associated with ego-resiliency and ego-undercontrol. Ego-resiliency and ego-undercontrol were uniquely related to preference and popularity. The findings provide insight in the developmental pathways leading to the two distinct types of social status.