CHAPTER 10

LECTURE EXTENSION

Friendship and Peer Rejection as Predictors of Adult Adjustment

As discussed in the text, peer-rejected children are at risk for later difficulties. However, friendship may offset the negative effects of peer rejection. This is possible because whereas acceptance and rejection summarize the feelings of an entire peer group, friendship is a two-way relationship between two children in which mutual liking occurs. Thus, a child could have both a close friend and a rejected status within the peer group.

A 12-year longitudinal investigation found that mutual friendships and peer rejection are associated with different aspects of adult functioning (Bagwell, Newcomb, & Bukowski, 1999). In this study, 30 young adults who had a stable, reciprocal best friend in the fifth grade were compared with 30 who had been friendless. Overall, low levels of peer rejection and having a mutual friend were associated with successful adult adjustment. However, only peer rejection was associated with adjustment difficulties in adulthood. In particular, lower levels of acceptance by peers in the fifth grade were associated with less favorable school performance, vocational competence, and aspiration level, as well as reduced participation in social activities. The only unique association with mutual friendship was a positive relation with family members. Thus, these data suggest that children's experience of rejection by classmates has greater long-term implications than does friendship for success and involvement in educational endeavors. Further, the authors note that the relation between friendship and positive family interactions suggests continuity in close relationships over time.

Another interesting finding indicates that having a close friend is associated with high general self-worth. The authors suggest that this is because a close friendship provides a context for validation of self-worth and exploration and development of personal strengths.

Finally, the results showed that peer rejection and the absence of friendship were both associated with psychopathological symptoms in adulthood, although neither was uniquely associated with levels of clinical symptomatology. The authors suggest that these findings indicate that having a mutual friendship may be just as important as peer acceptance for later psychological health.

Bagwell, C. L., Newcomb, A. F., & Bukowski, W. M. (1999). Preadolescent friendship and peer rejection as predictors of adult adjustment. Child Development, 70, 140-153.

LEARNING ACTIVITY

Finding Out about Supports for Sexually Abused Children and Adolescents in Your Community

Once child sexual abuse has been reported, legal proceedings can begin for the perpetrator. But what happens to the child? If students were to suddenly find out that the child of a good friend had been the -victim of sexual abuse, what information or suggestions could students make regarding supports for the child?

Have students call the children's protective services department in their area and request information about support services for sexually abused children. Are children always removed from the home environment? Where are they placed? What support groups or counseling facilities are available for sexual abuse victims? Are supports geared toward families as a whole or just the children?