Distinctions Among Rejected Children on the Basis of Peer-Nominated Aggression

Abstract

We investigated two types of rejected children, distinguished On the basis of peer-nominated aggression. Utilizing peer sociometric nomination procedures, rejected-aggressive, rejected-nonaggressive, popular, neglected, and average groups were formed from a junior high school population. Subjects completed a self-report depression inventory, were given an interview assessing responses to ambiguous-intention, negative-outcome peer interactions, and were observed in small heterogeneous groups. Rejected-aggressive and rejected-nonaggressive subjects differed markedly in the frequency of social initiations made, social initiations received from peers, and the duration of sustained interaction. Ad- though rejected-aggressive subjects endorsed the highest number of depression symptoms, when misconduct and school problem item were removed, their scores did not differ significantly from those of the other groups.