The Construct of Playfulness: Relationships with Adaptive Behaviors, Humor, and Early Play Ability
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Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies / OhioLINK
2011
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| Online Access: | http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1310254723 |
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ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-case13102547232021-08-03T05:34:10Z The Construct of Playfulness: Relationships with Adaptive Behaviors, Humor, and Early Play Ability Christian, Kelly M. Psychology playfulness play ability adaptive coping temperament sense of humor The main purpose of this study was to develop a better understanding of the construct of playfulness in school aged children by examining associations between playfulness and adaptive behaviors, humor, and temperament. A secondary aim of this study was to explore the predictive role of early pretend play ability on current playfulness. It was hypothesized that playfulness would positively relate to the capacity to problem solve, regulate affect, and effectively communicate emotions. In addition, playfulness was expected to positively relate to humor and adaptive temperament styles. Pretend play processes were expected to predict playfulness four years later. Forty three children in fourth through sixth grades were administered validated measures of coping, emotion regulation, emotion expression, sense of humor, and temperament. Playfulness was assessed using both parent and teacher report forms of the Child Behaviors Inventory of Playfulness (CBI; Rogers, et al., 1998). Pretend play was assessed with the Affect in Play Scale (APS; Russ, 2004) four and five years prior to data collection. As hypothesized parent reported playfulness significantly related to active coping, emotion regulation, a willingness to express emotions, and the affiliation category of temperament. Inconsistent with hypotheses, teachers’ perceptions of playfulness related to low use of coping strategies and were not associated with adaptive behaviors. The CBI teacher report form was not considered an adequate measure of playfulness for school aged children. It remains unclear how the construct of playfulness relates to early pretend play abilities. As expected, imagination and organization in early pretend play predicted current emotion regulation abilities. The best predictors of parent reported playfulness were affiliation and verbal intelligence. For teachers, the best predictors of playfulness were grade level and lack of using avoidant coping strategies. Parent and teacher ratings of playfulness were not related to one another. Teachers were not adequate reporters of playfulness among school aged children. Results support early pretend play as a predictor of later emotion regulation abilities and variables of humor. Recommendations are made to develop a self-report measure of playfulness for school aged children. 2011 English text Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1310254723 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1310254723 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws. |
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NDLTD |
| language |
English |
| sources |
NDLTD |
| topic |
Psychology playfulness play ability adaptive coping temperament sense of humor |
| spellingShingle |
Psychology playfulness play ability adaptive coping temperament sense of humor Christian, Kelly M. The Construct of Playfulness: Relationships with Adaptive Behaviors, Humor, and Early Play Ability |
| author |
Christian, Kelly M. |
| author_facet |
Christian, Kelly M. |
| author_sort |
Christian, Kelly M. |
| title |
The Construct of Playfulness: Relationships with Adaptive Behaviors, Humor, and Early Play Ability |
| title_short |
The Construct of Playfulness: Relationships with Adaptive Behaviors, Humor, and Early Play Ability |
| title_full |
The Construct of Playfulness: Relationships with Adaptive Behaviors, Humor, and Early Play Ability |
| title_fullStr |
The Construct of Playfulness: Relationships with Adaptive Behaviors, Humor, and Early Play Ability |
| title_full_unstemmed |
The Construct of Playfulness: Relationships with Adaptive Behaviors, Humor, and Early Play Ability |
| title_sort |
construct of playfulness: relationships with adaptive behaviors, humor, and early play ability |
| publisher |
Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies / OhioLINK |
| publishDate |
2011 |
| url |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1310254723 |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT christiankellym theconstructofplayfulnessrelationshipswithadaptivebehaviorshumorandearlyplayability AT christiankellym constructofplayfulnessrelationshipswithadaptivebehaviorshumorandearlyplayability |
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