The Relationship Between Indexes of Childhood Friendship and Biographical, Personality, and Behavioral Variables

Abstract

The nature of childhood friendship was investigated through the relationship between four proposed indexes of friendship (choice status, acceptance of others, acceptance by others, and perceived acceptance by others), and variables of biography, interpersonal skills and behaviors, and self-concept. The subjects were 39 children (30 boys, 9 girls) in Grades 2, 4, and 6. Data were collected via sociometric techniques, questionnaires, and the Piers-Harris (1969) Children's Self-Concept Scale. The results indicated significant correlations between (a) age and choice status, (b) after-school routine and perceived social acceptance, (c) after-school routine and actual social acceptance, and (d) loneliness and social acceptance; and between certain friendship indexes.