Psychology

Building rapport with children: Effects of adults' expected, actual, and perceived behavior

Document Type

Article

Abstract

The quality of the child-clinician relationship is important for clinical outcomes, but the early determinants of such relationship quality are not well understood. We examined adults' behaviors and styles, and children's expectancies and perceptions of those behaviors and styles, as determinants of relationship quality. Children (n = 204) in 4th to 6th grade encountered an adult whose behavior (playing with a toy or reading a newspaper) and interpersonal style (autonomy supportive or controlling) either confirmed or violated their expectancies. Adult behavior and style predicted rapport, as did children's expectancies and perceptions. The latter effects were qualified by interactions. Results are discussed with respect to their implications for clinical practice.

Publication Title

Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology

Publication Date

2008

Volume

27

Issue

3

First Page

226

Last Page

253

ISSN

0736-7236

DOI

10.1521/jscp.2008.27.3.226

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