Dr. Chen is a professor at Penn GSE. He conducts research on socioemotional development in childhood and adolescence. He has received a Scholars Award from the William T. Grant Foundation, a Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award from the International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development (ISSBD), and several other awards for his scientific work. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA, Div. 7), the Association for Psychological Science (APS), and the American Educational Research Association (AERA). He served as the president of ISSBD. He has served as an associate editor of Child Development and on the editorial boards of leading journals in the field.

Research Interests and Current Projects

Dr. Chen’s research focuses on children’s and adolescents’ socioemotional functioning and its role in social, school, and psychological adjustment from a contextual-developmental perspective. He is interested in the developmental processes of social competence, shyness-inhibition, and aggression as well as the dispositional/biological and socialization factors that are involved in these processes. He has conducted, in collaboration with his colleagues, a series of longitudinal projects in Chinese, North American, and other societies. The projects are based largely on a theoretical framework he has developed about the links between cultural values and two fundamental systems of socioemotional functioning—namely, social initiative and self-control. The projects are concerned with (1) the joint and interactive contributions of early temperamental characteristics and parenting practices to individual development in social, economic, and cultural contexts, and (2) the role of social interactions and relationships in mediating and moderating contextual influences on development. His recent work has tapped the implications of macro-level societal changes for human development. In addition, his team has conducted studies of adjustment experiences, including the difficulties and strengths, of different generations of Asian children and adolescents in North America.

Publications

Featured

Socialization and socioemotional development in Chinese children

Socioemotional Development in Cultural Context

Selected Publications

Chen, X. (2023). Socialization and socioemotional development in Chinese children. Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/9781009072380

Chen, X., Zhou, J., Li, D., Liu, J., Dai, Y., & Zhou, T. (2023). Enjoyment of Chinese and mathematics and school performance in Chinese children and adolescents. Child Development, 94(1), 126–141. doi:10.1111/cdev.13843

Chen, X., Zhou, J., Liu, J., Li, D., & Liu, S. (2023). Academic performance and depression in Chinese children: Same-domain and cross-domain effects in friendships. Child Development, 94(2), 348–362. doi:10.1111/cdev.13864

Liu, M., Chen, X., Fu, R., Li, D., & Liu, J. (2023). Social, academic, and psychological characteristics of peer groups in Chinese children: Same-domain and cross-domain effects on individual development. Developmental Psychology, 59(1), 57–68. doi:10.1037/dev0001449

Chen, Xi., Chen, X., Zhao, S., Way, N., Yoshikawa, H., Zhang, G., Deng, H., Cao, R., Chen, H., & Li, D. (2021). Autonomy- and connectedness-oriented behaviors of toddlers and mothers at different historical times in urban China. Developmental Psychology, 57(8), 1254–1260. doi:10.1037/dev0001224

Chen, X., Fu, R., Li, D., Chen, H., Wang, Z., & Wang, L. (2021). Behavioral inhibition in early childhood and adjustment in late adolescence in China. Child Development, 92, 994–1010. doi:10.1111/cdev.13463

Chen, X., Fu, R., Li, D., Liu, J., Liu, S., & Cui, L. (2021). Acculturation and adjustment among rural migrant children in urban China: A longitudinal study. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 13, 559–577. doi:10.1111/aphw.12264

Ju, S. G., Chen, X., Chen, L., Zhao, S., & Fegley, S. G. (2021). Relations of maternal power assertion and autonomy support with children’s adjustment in Korea. Journal of Family Psychology, 5, 335–344. doi: 10.1037/fam0000720

Chen, L., & Chen, X. (2020). Affiliation with depressive peer groups and social and school adjustment in Chinese adolescents. Development and Psychopathology, 32, 1087–1095. doi:10.1017/S0954579419001184

Chen, X. (2020). Exploring cultural meanings of adaptive and maladaptive behaviors in children and adolescents: A contextual-developmental perspective. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 44, 256–265. doi:10.1177/0165025419877976

Fu, R., Lee, J., Chen, X., & Wang, L. (2020). Academic self-perceptions and academic achievement in Chinese children: A multi-wave longitudinal study. Child Development, 91, 1718–1732. doi:10.1111/cdev.13360

Chen, X. (2019). Culture and shyness in childhood and adolescence. New Ideas in Psychology, 53, 58–66. doi:10.1016/j.newideapsych.2018.04.007

Chen, X., Li, D., Liu, J., Fu, R., & Liu, S. (2019). Father migration and mother migration: Different implications for social, school, and psychological adjustment of left-behind children in rural China. Journal of Contemporary China, 27, 849–863. doi:10.1080/10670564.2019.1594100

Chen, X., Li, D., Xu, X., Liu, J., Fu, R., Cui, L., & Liu, S. (2019). School adjustment of children from rural migrant families in urban China. Journal of School Psychology, 72, 14–28. doi:10.1016/j.jsp.2018.12.003

Chen, X. (2018). Culture, temperament, and social and psychological adjustment. Developmental Review, 50, 42–53. doi:10.1016/j.dr.2018.03.004

Chen, X., Fu, R., Liu, J., Wang, L., Zarbatany, L., & Ellis, W. (2018). Social sensitivity and social, school, and psychological adjustment among children across contexts. Developmental Psychology, 54, 1124 –1134. doi:10.1037/dev0000496

Chen, X., Lee, J., & Chen, L. (2018). Culture and peer relationships. In W. M. Bukowski, B. Laursen, & K. H. Rubin (Eds.), Handbook of peer interactions, relationships, and groups (pp. 552–570). Guilford.

Chen, X., Li, D., Liu, J., Chen, H., & Zhao, S. (2018). Judgments of damage to public versus private property in Chinese children at different historical times. Developmental Science, 21(1), 1–6. doi:10.1111/desc.12506

Ellis, W., Zarbatany, L., Chen, X., Kinal, M., & Boyko, L. (2018). Peer groups as a context for school misconduct: The moderating role of group interactional style. Child Development, 89, 248–263. doi: 10.1111/cdev.12722

Liu, X., Fu, R., Li, D., Liu, J., & Chen, X. (2018). Self- and group-orientations and adjustment in urban and rural Chinese children. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 49, 1440–1456. doi:10.1177/0022022118795294

Zhao, S., & Chen, X. (2018). Maternal involvement in children's leisure activities in rural China: Relations with adjustment outcomes. Journal of Family Psychology, 32, 71–80. doi:10.1037/fam0000347

Chen, X. (2017). Socioemotional development across cultures. In M. D. Sera, M. Maratsos, & S. M. Carlson (Eds.), Minnesota symposium on child psychology, Vol. 38, Culture and developmental systems (pp. 275–298). Wiley.

Chen, X., & Liu, C. (2016). Culture, peer relationships, and developmental psychopathology. In D. Cicchetti (Ed.), Developmental psychopathology (pp. 723–769). Wiley.

Chen, X., Liu, J., Ellis, W., & Zarbatany, L. (2016). Social sensitivity and adjustment in Chinese and Canadian children. Child Development, 87, 1115–1129. doi:10.1111/cdev.12514

Chen, X. (2015). Exploring the implications of social change for human development: Perspectives, issues, and future directions. International Journal of Psychology, 50, 56–59. doi:10.1002/ijop.12128

Chen, X., & Schmidt, L. (2015). Temperament and personality. In M. E. Lamb (Vol. Ed.) & R. M. Lerner (Series Ed.), Handbook of child psychology and developmental science, Vol. 3, Socioemotional processes (7th ed.) (pp. 152–200). Wiley.

Liu, J., Chen, X., Coplan, R. J., Ding, X. Zarbatany, L., & Ellis, W. (2015). Shyness and unsociability and their relations with adjustment in Chinese and Canadian children. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 46, 371–386. doi:10.1177/0022022114567537

Yang, F., Chen, X., & Wang, L. (2015). Shyness-sensitivity and social, school and psychological adjustment in urban Chinese children: A four-wave longitudinal study. Child Development, 86, 1848–1864. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01347.x

Chen, X., Wang, L., Li, D., & Liu, J. (2014). Loneliness in Chinese children across contexts. Developmental Psychology, 50, 2324–2333. doi:10.1037/a0037689

Chen, X., Zhang, G., Liang, Z., Zhang, M., Way, N. Yoshikawa, H. et al. (2014). The association between 5-HTTLPR gene polymorphism and behavioral inhibition in Chinese toddlers. Developmental Psychobiology, 56, 1601–1608. doi:10.1002/dev.21253

Way, N., Okazaki, S., Zhao, J., Kim, J., Chen, X., Yoshikawa, H., Jia, Y., & Deng, H. (2013). Social and emotional parenting: Chinese mothering in a changing society. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 4, 61–70. doi:10.1037/a0031204

Chen, X. (2012). Culture, peer interaction, and socioemotional development. Child Development Perspectives, 6, 27–34. doi:10.1111/j.1750-8606.2011.00187.x

Chen, X., & Li, D. (2012). Parental encouragement of initiative-taking and adjustment in Chinese children from rural, urban, and urbanized families. Journal of Family Psychology, 26, 927–936. doi:10.1037/a0030708

Chen, X., Zhang, G., Chen, H., & Li, D. (2012). Performance on delay tasks in early childhood predicted socioemotional and school adjustment 9 years later: A longitudinal study in Chinese children. International Perspectives in Psychology: Research, Practice, Consultation, 1, 3–14. doi:10.1037/a0026363

Chen, X., Wang, L., & Cao, R. (2011). Shyness-sensitivity and unsociability in rural Chinese children: Relations with social, school, and psychological adjustment. Child Development, 82, 1531–1543. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2011.01616.x

Chen, X., & Rubin, K. H. (Eds.) (2011). Socioemotional development in cultural context. Guilford.

Chen, X. (2010). Socioemotional development in Chinese children. In M. H. Bond (Ed.), Handbook of Chinese psychology (pp. 37–52). Oxford University Press.

Chen, X., Bian, Y, Xin, T., Wang, L., & Silbereisen, R. K. (2010). Perceived social change and childrearing attitudes in China. European Psychologist, 15, 260–270. doi:10.1027/1016-9040/a000060

Silbereisen, R., & Chen, X. (Eds.) (2010). Social change and human development: Concepts and results. Sage.

Chen, X., Chen, H., Li, D., & Wang, L. (2009). Early childhood behavioral inhibition and social and school adjustment in Chinese children: A five-year longitudinal study. Child Development, 80, 1692–1704. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01362.x

Chen, X., Wang, L., & Wang, Z. (2009). Shyness-sensitivity and social, school, and psychological adjustment in rural migrant and urban children in China. Child Development, 80, 1499–1513. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01347.x

Jia, J., Way, N., Ling, G., Yoshikawa, H., Chen, X., Hughes, D., Ke, X., & Lu, Z. (2009). The influence of student perceptions of school climate on socio-emotional and academic adjustment: A comparison of Chinese and U.S. adolescents. Child Development, 80, 1514–1530. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2009.01348.x

Chen, X., Chang, L., Liu, H., & He, Y. (2008). Effects of the peer group on the development of social functioning and academic achievement: A longitudinal study in Chinese children. Child Development, 79, 235–251. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2007.01123.x

Chen, X., & French, D. (2008). Children’s social competence in cultural context. Annual Review of Psychology, 59, 591–616. doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.59.103006.093606

Chen, X., & Tse, H. C. (2008). Social functioning and adjustment in Canadian-born children with Chinese and European backgrounds. Developmental Psychology, 44, 1184–1189. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.44.4.1184

Nelson, J. L., & Chen, X. (2007). Emerging adulthood in China: The role of social and cultural factors. Child Development Perspectives, 1, 86–91. doi:10.1111/j.1750-8606.2007.00020.x

Chen, X., DeSouza, A., Chen, H., & Wang, L. (2006). Reticent behavior and experiences in peer interactions in Canadian and Chinese children. Developmental Psychology, 42, 656–665. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.42.4.656

Chen, X., French, D., & Schneider, B. (Eds.) (2006). Peer relationships in cultural context. Cambridge University Press.

Chen, X., Cen, G., Li, D., & He, Y. (2005). Social functioning and adjustment in Chinese children: The imprint of historical time. Child Development, 76, 182–195. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2005.00838.x

Liu, M., Chen, X., Rubin, K. H., Zheng, S., Cui, L., Li, D., Chen, H., & Wang, L. (2005). Autonomy- vs. connectedness-oriented parenting behaviors in Chinese and Canadian mothers. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 29, 489–495. doi:10.1080/01650250500147063

Chen, X., He, Y., De Oliveira, A. M., Lo Coco, A, Zappulla, C., Kaspar, V., Schneider, B., Valdivia, I. A., Tse, C. H., & DeSouza, A. (2004). Loneliness and social adaptation in Brazilian, Canadian, Chinese and Italian children. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 45, 1373–1384. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00844.x

Chen, X., Rubin, K. H., Liu, M., Chen, H., Wang, L., & Li, D., Gao, X., Cen, G., Gu, H., & Li, B. (2003). Compliance in Chinese and Canadian toddlers. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 27, 428–436. doi:10.1080/01650250344000046

Chen, X., Liu, M., & Li, D. (2000). Parental warmth, control and indulgence and their relations to adjustment in Chinese children: A longitudinal study. Journal of Family Psychology, 14, 401–419. doi: 10.1037//0893-3200.14.3.401

Chen, X., Hastings, P., Rubin, K. H., Chen, H., Cen, G., & Stewart, S. L. (1998). Childrearing attitudes and behavioral inhibition in Chinese and Canadian toddlers: A cross-cultural study. Developmental Psychology, 34, 677–686. doi:10.1037//0012-1649.34.4.677

Chen, X., Dong, Q., & Zhou, H. (1997). Authoritative and authoritarian parenting practices and social and school adjustment. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 20, 855–873. doi:10.1080/016502597384703

Chen, X., Rubin, K. H., & Sun, Y. (1992). Social reputation and peer relationships in Chinese and Canadian children: A cross-cultural study. Child Development, 63, 1336–1343. doi:10.2307/1131559

News & Media

In the Media

East and West may be reshaping each other's parenting

Individualist values from Europe and the US are transforming parenting globally, but East Asian values are also migrating the other way, says Xinyin Chen.

Child & Family Blog | February 6, 2017

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Child Development

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