Friendships in middle childhood: Links to peer and school identification, and general self‐worth

Abstract

Children's friendships are important for well‐being and school adjustment, but few studies have examined multiple indices of friendships together in middle childhood. The current study surveyed 7‐ to 11‐year‐olds ( n = 314) about their friendships, best friendships, friendship quality and indices of self‐worth, identification with peers, and identification with school. Peer relationships were positively related to self‐worth, but not identification with peers or school. Best friendship quality moderated the relationship between number of reciprocated friendship nominations and self‐worth. Children with a reciprocated best friend had higher friendship quality and peer identification than others. Where best friendship was reciprocated, the relationship with identification with peers was mediated via positive friendship quality. The results suggest that friendship reciprocity is particularly relevant for children's self‐worth and identification with peers. The findings are discussed in relation to the importance of fostering the development of reciprocated friendships. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Friendships are related to well‐being, school relations, and how young people feel about their peers at school. Friendship quality may be important in moderating the relationship between peer relations and adjustment. What does this study add? Various aspects of friendships are studied simultaneously with younger children than much previous research. Reciprocated best friendships were better quality than partial or non‐reciprocated best friendships. Friendship reciprocity was most relevant for children's self‐worth and peer identification.

Social classroom climate and personalised instruction as predictors of students’ social participation

“…Having said that and considering the negative effects of low social participation on students' academic, socio-emotional or health development (e.g. Delgado et al 2016;Maunder and Monks 2019), appropriate interventions and educational support are clearly needed.…”

“…Delgado et al 2016;Knifsend et al 2018), selfworth (e.g. Maunder and Monks 2019), emotional well-being (e.g. Zurbriggen and Venetz 2016), and health complaints, especially psychosomatic complaints (Låftman and Östberg 2006).…”

Supportive Parenting Buffers the Effects of Low Peer Acceptance on Children’s Internalizing Problem Behaviors

“…Peer relationships have been suggested to be an absolute necessity for healthy social and cognitive development, and socialization (Johnson 1980). According to Bukowski (2001), friendship provides a sense of self-value and personal validation, serves a protective function, facilitates learning and development of new skills, and shapes development through shared cultures (Maunder and Monks 2018). Peer status has been found to be relatively stable in elementary school years and to predict later social-emotional development and school adjustment (for a review, see Jiang and Cillessen 2005).…”

Unsociability, peer relations, and psychological maladjustment among children: A moderated‐mediated model

“…In addition, adolescents with low‐quality friendships experience greater loneliness and depressive symptoms (Chen, Huang, Wang, & Chang, 2012; Lodder, Scholte, Goossens, & Verhagen, 2017; Liu & Chen, 2003). As well, low‐quality friendships between best friends are related to low self‐worth among older children and adolescents (Maunder & Monks, 2018).…”

“…Unsociable children are unable to form high‐quality positive friendships (e.g., Barstead et al, 2018). This, in turn, may result in poor psychological adjustment (e.g., Lodder et al, 2017; Maunder & Monks, 2018). Our review of the literature also did not reveal any published studies using a Chinese sample that tested the mediating role of friendship quality in the relations between unsociability and psychological maladjustment.…”