ERIC Number: EJ1178906
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Jun
Pages: 29
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0272-4316
EISSN: N/A
Peer Group Ethnic Diversity and Social Competencies in Youth Attending Rural Middle Schools
Williams, Joanna L.; Hamm, Jill V.
Journal of Early Adolescence, v38 n6 p795-823 Jun 2018
This study examines concurrent and short-term longitudinal (i.e., academic year) relations between peer network racial/ethnic diversity and indicators of social and academic competence in a sample of African American, Latino, Native American, and White sixth-grade students attending rural schools (N = 481; 50% female). Results from two-level hierarchical linear models indicated that in the fall of sixth grade, peer network diversity was positively related to teacher-rated interpersonal competence for Native American youth and to peer protection from bullying for White youth. Students in more diverse peer groups had higher teacher-reported social and academic competence in the spring of sixth grade; these associations were moderated by racial/ethnic group, emerging most consistently for students of color. Results suggest benefits of peer network diversity in early adolescence and also highlight a need to understand mechanisms through which these benefits are incurred.
Descriptors: Middle School Students, Longitudinal Studies, Peer Relationship, Racial Composition, Ethnic Diversity, Interpersonal Competence, Academic Achievement, African American Students, Hispanic American Students, American Indian Students, White Students, Grade 6, Rural Schools, Hierarchical Linear Modeling, Correlation, Racial Differences, Ethnicity, Bullying, Student Diversity, Early Adolescents, Social Capital, Teacher Surveys, Social Cognition, Statistical Analysis
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 - Research
Education Level: Middle Schools; Secondary Education; Junior High Schools; Grade 6; Intermediate Grades; Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R305A040056