Insecurity About Social Preference Predicts Lower Social Preference: The Mediation Role of Internalizing Symptoms and the Moderation of Callous-Unemotional Traits

Adolescents’ social status insecurity impairs mental health and behaviors (e.g., Long et al., 2020 ). Although social preference has been shown as important in adolescents’ social development, limited is known about social preference insecurity (SPI). Using a longitudinal, multi-informant design, this study explores predication from adolescents’ SPI to social preference mediated by internalizing symptoms and moderated by callousness among 817 adolescents (M age = 12.19; 50% female). Findings showed that SPI predicted higher depression and anxiety, and more so for adolescents with higher callousness. Furthermore, SPI negatively predicted later social preference mediated through depression, which was strengthened by adolescents’ callousness. This study contributes to understanding adolescents’ social cognition about peer status and personality influence developmental outcomes.