Kucaba, Katarzyna and Monks, Claire ORCID: 0000-0003-2638-181X (2022) Peer relations and friendships in early childhood: the association with peer victimization. Aggressive Behavior, 48 (4). pp. 431-442. ISSN 0096-140X (Print), 1098-2337 (Online) (doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.22029)

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Abstract

We examined the association between involvement in peer victimisation in early childhood and different measures of peer relations in order to examine the role of the peer group in victimisation with special focus on the role of the aggressor, defender, and target. Children (N=200; 45.5% girls) and teachers (N=8; 100% women) were recruited from three primary schools in the south-east of England. Children were aged 5-7 years (M=75.6 months, SD=10.39). Child and teacher reports of children’s friendships were obtained. Children reported on the quality of their best friendship. Children provided peer reports on involvement in peer victimisation (as aggressor, defender, and target) and social status (like-most and like-least). Results show that aggressive children received more like-least nominations than other children, defenders were the most liked by peers, but targets’ social status was not clearly identifiable. There were no significant differences between role in peer victimisation and best friend nominations - most children said that they had a best friend. Similarly, there were no differences in reciprocated friendship between different roles. However, children who had their friendship reciprocated received more defender nominations. In line with the homophily hypothesis, aggressive children tended to have aggressive friends and have friendships characterised by conflict. Defenders were friends with other defenders. Targets tended to follow the social competence model of friendships by indicating defenders as their best friends. We discuss these findings in relation to the role that group processes may play in peer victimisation in early childhood.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	peer relationships; friendships; aggression; peer victimisation; early childhood
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1501 Primary Education
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development > Centre for Vulnerable Children and Families Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM)
Last Modified:	21 Jun 2022 08:19
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/35280

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