ERIC Number: EJ816358
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0165-0254
EISSN: N/A
Change and Stability in Children's Social Network and Self-Perceptions during Transition from Elementary to Junior High School
Cantin, Stephane; Boivin, Michel
International Journal of Behavioral Development, v28 n6 p561-570 2004
This study examined the changes in children's social network and specific self-perceptions during the transition from elementary school to junior high school (JHS). The participants were 200 preadolescent children (104 girls, 96 boys). Children's self-perceptions (global self-worth, perceived academic competence, and perceived social acceptance) and social network characteristics (parents and peer-enacted support) were evaluated four consecutive times over a 2-year period. Despite a slight decrease in the size of children's social network after the transition, the passage into JHS had no negative impact on the quality and functional aspects of their relationships with parents and school friends. The school transition was instead associated with an intensification of supportive relationships with school friends. Children's perceived social acceptance also increased suddenly after the JHS transition, while children's perceived scholastic competence decreased simultaneously during that time. Children's general self-esteem was then observed to decline progressively over a longer period of time. (Contains 2 tables.)
Descriptors: Social Networks, Elementary School Students, Perception, Children, Self Esteem, Junior High School Students, Child Development, Puberty, Dating (Social), Parent Child Relationship, Foreign Countries
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 3; Grade 6; Junior High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A