Michel Boivin

For Some Children, Hell is Other Children

---

For most children, relations with one another generally help their intellectual, emotional and social development. For some, however, social interaction is more difficult. It seems that difficulties with relationships predispose some children to a litany of negative outcomes, including dropping out of school, youth crime and mental health problems. This raises questions as to the nature, causes and development of the difficulties concerned.

As chairholder, Professor Boivin plans to address these issues head on by tracking the development of children from birth to adolescence. With this in mind, he will draw on an impressive collection of major population studies, including one on twins. In theses studies, over 3000 Quebec children are assessed periodically from birth onward, along with their families.

The children have been assessed on various aspects of social interaction in a family and childcare setting. They will now be monitored in school. From kindergarten on, they will be questioned and observed in different social settings and their emotional reactions will be measured. In this way it will be possible to evaluate and more accurately define the relationship between a number of prior experiences and the quality of social and school integration.

The tracking process will enable Professor Boivin to examine a variety of development paths and more effectively document the nature, causes and effects of problematic social relationships during childhood. Over the medium term, the findings will provide for more accurate identification of children at psychosocial risk. It will also be possible to target preventive measures more precisely and design new, effective preventive methods involving peers. The ultimate goal is to lower the incidence of the negative experiences concerned and lessen their impact on children at risk.