A study examined 233 children's ratings of attitudes and behavioral interventions toward a peer with or without autism. Both third- and sixth-grade children showed less positive attitudes toward children with autism. Children showed no differences on behavioral intentions. Information about autism did not affect ratings. (Contains references.)…

This longitudinal study examined consistency and change in human personality. Rather than studying the consistency of individual differences over time, an approach which considers only the stability of a variable at the group level and ignores differences in stability at an individual level, this study used a person-centered approach to study…

Investigation of the social acceptance of 15 Zambian primary school children with intellectual disabilities by two groups of nondisabled children found that nondisabled boys who had experienced contact with the disabled children had more positive attitudes than boys with no contact. No exposure effects were observed among girls. Among the…

Examined peer group contextual effects on relations between academic achievement and social functioning among Chinese 9-, 13-, and 16-year-olds. Found that peer groups were highly homogeneous on academic achievement. Academic achievement and social adjustment were associated at within-group individual and group levels. Group academic performance…

Studied adolescent personal and interpersonal characteristics, including social competence and thoughts on friendship and romantic interests during a camp reunion. Found that concurrent interest in relationships is a stronger predictor of social competence for participants with anxious histories, although participants with secure histories were…

A study involving 124 male and 128 female sixth graders found that sex differences existed in willingness to receive help and helper preferences, and that high-attraction subjects showed higher orientation toward including other children in their activities, accepting control from others, and being affectionate around others. (SLD)

Teacher and peer perceptions of aggression were investigated with 479 male and 420 female third through eighth graders. Teachers and students' peers reported higher levels of aggression in boys than girls, and these perceptions were relatively stable across grades. Issues relevant to identification of highly aggressive youth were identified. (SLD)

Adolescents' feelings of belongingness were investigated by this study, in which 349 high school students participated. Independent variables for family structure, quality of family life, gender, classification, and length of residency were investigated. The dependent variable was scores from the Psychological Sense of School Membership scale.…

Stories of two students remind teachers that their actions, interactions and responses can encourage students to understand the need for strong, supportive relationships. Scott and Jason needed their teachers to help them find ways to be accepted and develop a confidence in their own identity, ways that helped them find their place on the…

This study was conducted to determine the degree to which children's perceived self-esteem is related to their overall academic achievement as measured by their performance on a standardized achievement test battery. Specifically, the study sought to determine the dimensions of perceived self-esteem that would be most clearly associated with…

Reported in this symposium are (1) a study of interpersonal awareness, peer acceptance, and interpersonal strategies among Australian preschool children, by Norman F. Kafer, (2) a longitudinal study of the learning preferences of Australian primary and secondary school students, by Lee Owens, and (3) an abstract of an investigation of co-operative…

This report details the activities and accomplishments of a 4-year federally supported project concerned with: (1) validating a new strategy designed to promote the social relationships among young children with and without disabilities; (2) creating a training manual for use by teachers to promote acceptance of young children with disabilities;…

Kramer's study supporting the construct validity of the Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation-Behavior (Firo-B) scale was replicated in this experiment. The significantly different results reported by Froehle may be due to differences in the populations sampled and in their environment. (GDC)

Sociometric peer ratings, teacher ratings, and direct observation were employed in the classification of two groups of third-graders as either neglected (socially isolated) (N=12) or rejected (N=12) in their social relationships. Both groups profited significantly from social skills training compared to no changes observed in a control group. (JW)

Loneliness is a significant problem than can predispose young children to immediate and long-term negative consequences. This Digest presents an overview of loneliness, with suggestions for practitioners on how they can apply the research in early childhood settings. Children who feel lonely often experience poor peer relationships and feelings of…