Social Discomfort in Preadolescence: Predictors of Discrepancies between Preadolescents and Their Parents and Teachers

The present study investigated whether salient preadolescent behaviors and experiences predicted parents’ and teachers’ underestimation
of preadolescents’ shyness. Participants included a community sample of 129 fifth and sixth graders, along with one parent
and teacher per preadolescent. Preadolescents, parents, and teachers provided reports about preadolescents’ shyness, and parents
and teachers rated preadolescents’ prosocial and aggressive behaviors, peer victimization experiences, and academic performance.
Results indicated that parent- and teacher-reported prosocial behavior, teacher-reported aggressive behavior, and parent-reported
peer victimization were associated with lower parent and teacher reports of preadolescent shyness, relative to preadolescent
reports, controlling for demographic variables and parent stress. Additionally, higher parent-reported academic performance
was associated with lower teacher reports of preadolescent shyness, compared to preadolescent reports. These findings suggest
that preadolescents with higher levels of relatively conspicuous behaviors and experiences feel more shyness than their parents
and teachers report.