Significance of Reciprocal and Unilateral Friendships for Peer Victimization in Adolescence

• NCJ Number: 225920
• Journal: Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume: 38 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2009 Pages: 89-100
• Author(s): Ron H.J. Scholte; Geertjan Overbeek; Giovanni ten Brink; Els Rommes; Raymond A.T. de Kemp; Luc Goossens; Rutger C.M.E. Engels
• Date Published: January 2009
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the extent to which adolescents’ number of friends, along with their social and personal characteristics, were related to peer victimization (bullying).

Abstract

The findings show the between-group comparisons of the three types of friends identified (“reciprocal friends,” “desired friends,” and “choosing friends”). When two classmates mutually nominated one another as friends, they were considered “reciprocal friends.” If an adolescent nominated a classmate but was not nominated by this classmate, the classmate was considered a “desired friend.” When an adolescent was nominated by a classmate whom he/she did not nominate, this classmate was labeled a “choosing friend.” Between-group comparisons of the three types of friends showed that victims of bullying had fewer reciprocal and choosing friends than “noninvolved” adolescents (those who neither bullied others nor were victimized by others). Compared to bully-victims and noninvolved adolescents, victims had reciprocal friends outside of their class who were socially less well-adjusted. There were no differences with respect to the characteristics of the “desired friends.” An explanation for the findings is that bullies will observe which adolescents have large networks of peers who they consider to be friends and who might help when a victim is attacked. The finding that bullying victims have reciprocal friends outside of class suggests that victimization experiences are dependent on the features of the school context rather than on victim characteristics that generally define their ability to develop friendships with peers. Study participants were 2,180 adolescents (1,143 girls), ages 11-18. The majority of the adolescents were Dutch. Students completed self-report questionnaires that measured “victimization” (having others say mean things about you or being hit, kicked, or threatened, leading to exclusion and isolation). Questionnaires also measured number and types of friendships, personality characteristics, loneliness, and self-esteem. 4 tables and 38 references