This investigation's aims were to map prevalence, normative trends, and patterns of continuity or change in school-based peer victimization throughout formal schooling (i.e., Grades K-12), and determine whether specific victimization patterns (i.e., differential trajectories) were associated with children's academic performance. A sample of 383…

The position advocated within this article is that the construct of "school readiness" has a social component, and that attempts to evaluate children's interpersonal readiness for kindergarten should be judged in relation to their likely success at mastering specific social school entry tasks. Social school entry tasks, which most likely stem from…

This study explored the transition from preschool to kindergarten and identified factors that predict children's social and school adjustment in new school environments. (PCB)

Study assessed preschoolers' perceptions of classroom friendships and whether these perceptions were associated with their adjustment during transition to grade school. Findings were consistent with the hypothesis that the relational features of children's classroom friendships yield psychological benefits or costs that, in turn, affect children's…

Students with larger number of classroom friends at time of entering school had more favorable perceptions of school. Children who maintained their friendships increasingly liked school as year progressed. Making new friends was associated with school performance gains. Early peer rejection forecasted less favorable perceptions of school, higher…

Examined linkages between 5- to 6-year-olds' participation in friendships, peer acceptance, and peer victimization and their school adjustment over time. Found evidence that adjustment was influenced by the diverse experiences encountered in different forms of relationships and that certain types of relationships had greater or lesser adaptive…

Examines how three distinct features of the teacher-child relationship (closeness, dependency, and conflict) were related to various aspects of children's school adjustment. Results show that dependency correlated to school adjustment difficulties. Findings highlight the importance of considering various features of children's relationships with…

Assessed changes over time in kindergarten children's school attitudes and perceptions of peer acceptance and friendships. Found that initial levels of peer group acceptance were associated with liking school at both assessments, while the number of mutual friendships was associated with an increase in school liking. Girls who developed…

Examined effects of peer victimization and whether it was a precursor of school maladjustment. Subjects were 200 5- and 6-year-olds. Findings indicated that victimization was a precursor of children's loneliness and school avoidance. Children's feelings of loneliness were more pronounced while victimization was occurring, and delayed effects were…

Evidence indicates that peer victimization is predictive of later maladjustment, but the mechanisms by which harassment impairs development have yet to be identified. The objectives of this study were (a) to discern normative trends in peer victimization experiences and self- and peer perceptions during preadolescence and (b) to investigate…

Examined relationship between school liking, classroom participation, and achievement with 200 entering kindergartners. Found greater support for the premise that school liking fosters classroom participation and achievement than for contention that early participation and achievement increases school liking or identification. Found that…

Used short-term longitudinal design to examine peer relations processes that may mediate relation between peer rejection and kindergartners' emotional and academic adjustment. Structural equation modeling results supported hypothesis that negative peer treatment and classroom participation partially mediated the relationship between rejection and…

Examined how relational stressors and supports interface with aggression to influence early adjustment trajectories from Fall of kindergarten year to Spring of first grade. Found that with few exceptions, relational experiences predicted adjustment beyond children's aggressive risk status. Chronicity of aggressive risk status and relational…

Two studies examined a "child x environment" model of early school adjustment. Findings indicated that entry factors directly and indirectly influenced behavior, participation, and achievement in kindergarten. Initial behavioral orientation influenced the type of relationships formed with peers and teachers. Stressful aspects of…