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The Journal of Social Psychology Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/vsoc20
Loneliness in Middle Childhood a
Peter D. Renshaw & Peter J. Brown
a
a
School of Education , Murdoch University , Australia Published online: 01 Jul 2010.
To cite this article: Peter D. Renshaw & Peter J. Brown (1992) Loneliness in Middle Childhood, The Journal of Social Psychology, 132:4, 545-547 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00224545.1992.9924735
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan,
Downloaded by [Indiana University Libraries] at 01:12 16 March 2015
sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions
The Journal of Social Psychology, / 3 2 ( 4 ) ,545-541
Downloaded by [Indiana University Libraries] at 01:12 16 March 2015
Goss~CultumlNotes Under this headjng appear summanes of studies which, in 500 words or provide comparable data from two or more sochtks through the UBC of a standard mcs~suring instnunent. Additional details concerning results can be obtainad by cotnmunidugdirectly with the hvatigator or, whsn indicated, by requesting gupplementary material from MBcro,@$MPublications.
Loneliness in Middle Childhood PETER D. RENSHAW PETER J. BROWN School of Education Murdoch University, Australia
PEER-RELATED LONELINESS in middle childhood has been the object of several major studies in North America (see the review by Asher, Parkhurst, Hymel, & Williams, 1990). Self-reports of loneliness have been found to be associated with several indices of social functioning: social withdrawal (Hyme1 & Franke, 1985), peer rejection (Asher & Wheeler, 1985), and fewer friendships (Asher, Hymel, & Renshaw, 1984). Outside North America, little research has been conducted. Consequently the cross-national generality of these findings remains unclear. In the present study, we examined (a) whether Australian and American children experience similar levels of loneliness, (b) whether the relationship between sociometric and behavioral indices of social functioning and loneliness is similar for Australian and American children, and (c) whether these findings are consistent across sex and grade. Portions of the paper were presented at the American Educational Research Association, April 1991, Chicago. We thank the children, teachers. and school personnel for their participation in this research. Address correspondence to either Peter D. Renshaw, Faculty of Education, University of Queensland. St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia, or Peter J. Brown, School of Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150. Australia. 545
Downloaded by [Indiana University Libraries] at 01:12 16 March 2015
We obtained data for 126 children (65 boys, 61 girls) from third- through sixth-grade classes in an elementary school in Perth, Western Australia, and 121 children (64 boys, 57 girls) from third- through sixth-grade classes in an elementary school in a midwestern U.S. city. The children in both samples came from middle-class families and were predominantly White (>85%). By using the loneliness scale developed by Asher et al. (1984), we collected information about experiences of loneliness and social dissatisfaction. We assessed children’s peer acceptance by using a 1-5 rating scale sociometric (Singleton & Asher, 1977). An average play rating received from samesex peers was calculated and transformed to a standardized score within classes. The friendship score was the sum total of same-sex nominations that each child received. In addition, every teacher completed an eight-item social behavior rating scale for each child studied. providing information on social withdrawal versus engagement and aggressive versus prosocial behavior (see Renshaw & Brown, 1991). Ratings for each item were standardized to account for individual differences in teachers’ use of the scale and were summed to form separate scores for withdrawal and aggression. A three-way (Sex x Grade x Country) analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant Sex X Country interaction, F ( I , 231) = 7.00, p < .O 1 . Follow-up analyses indicated that the Australian female subjects were less lonely than the U.S. female subjects, F ( I , 116) = 12.30, p < .001 and that, in the U.S. sample, girls were more lonely than boys, F ( 1 , 119) = 4.90, p < .05. Correlations between indices of social functioning and loneliness indicated that, for the Australian and U.S. samples, more loneliness was associated with lower peer status (both rs = - .35), fewer friendships (rs = - .39 and - .41, respectively), and more withdrawn behavior (rs = .39 and .29, respectively). As expected, loneliness was not found to be associated with aggressive behavior (rs = - .03 and .02, respectively). Tests of differences in the magnitude of correlation coefficients using Fisher’s transformation procedure indicated no significant sex or grade differences in (a) the pattern of correlations between national samples or (b) in the pattern of correlation coefficients within each national sample, with the exception that the relation between loneliness and withdrawn behavior was stronger for Australian boys ( r = .52) than for Australian girls ( r = .25), z = 1.77, p < .05. Across the period from middle childhood to preadolescence, similar levels of loneliness were reported by Australian and U.S. children. The one exception (Sex x Country effect) suggests that more research is required to clarify whether girls in the United States consistently report more loneliness than either their Australian counterparts or their male peers in the United States. Our data suggest that, for both sexes and for both national samples, a similar pattern occurs between loneliness and social behavior (lonely children are more withdrawn) and between loneliness and sociometric measures (lonely children are less accepted by classmates and have fewer friends). Fu-
Renshaw & Brown
547
ture research should be directed toward examining whether these findings hold for more heterogeneous samples of children, as little is known about the intersection of ethnicity, social class, and sex in experiences of loneliness in middle childhood.
Downloaded by [Indiana University Libraries] at 01:12 16 March 2015
REFERENCES Asher, S. R., Hymel, S., & Renshaw, P. D. (1984). Loneliness in children. Child Development, 55, 1456-1464. Asher, S. R., Parkhurst, J. T., Hymel, S . , & Williams, G. A. (1990). Peer rejection and loneliness in childhood. In S. R. Asher & J. D. Coie (Eds.), Peer rejection in childhood (pp. 253-273). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Asher, S. R . , & Wheeler, V. A. (1985). Children’s loneliness: A comparison of rejected and neglected peer status. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 53,500-505. Hymel, S., & Franke, S. (1985). Children’s peer relations: Assessing selfperceptions. In B. H. Schneider, K . H. Rubin, & J. E. Ledingham (Eds.), Children’s peer relations: Issues in assessment and intervention (pp. 75-91). New York: Springer-Verlag. Renshaw, P. D.,& Brown, P. J. (199 I ) . Loneliness in middle childhood: Concurrent and longitudinal predictors. Manuscript submitted for publication. Singleton, L. C., & Asher, S. R. (1977). Peer preferences and social interaction among third-grade children in an integrated school district. Journal of Educational Psycholo~y,69. 330-336.
Received August 7. 1991
The Journal of Social Psychology Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/vsoc20
Loneliness in Middle Childhood a
Peter D. Renshaw & Peter J. Brown
a
a
School of Education , Murdoch University , Australia Published online: 01 Jul 2010.
To cite this article: Peter D. Renshaw & Peter J. Brown (1992) Loneliness in Middle Childhood, The Journal of Social Psychology, 132:4, 545-547 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00224545.1992.9924735
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan,
Downloaded by [Indiana University Libraries] at 01:12 16 March 2015
sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions
The Journal of Social Psychology, / 3 2 ( 4 ) ,545-541
Downloaded by [Indiana University Libraries] at 01:12 16 March 2015
Goss~CultumlNotes Under this headjng appear summanes of studies which, in 500 words or provide comparable data from two or more sochtks through the UBC of a standard mcs~suring instnunent. Additional details concerning results can be obtainad by cotnmunidugdirectly with the hvatigator or, whsn indicated, by requesting gupplementary material from MBcro,@$MPublications.
Loneliness in Middle Childhood PETER D. RENSHAW PETER J. BROWN School of Education Murdoch University, Australia
PEER-RELATED LONELINESS in middle childhood has been the object of several major studies in North America (see the review by Asher, Parkhurst, Hymel, & Williams, 1990). Self-reports of loneliness have been found to be associated with several indices of social functioning: social withdrawal (Hyme1 & Franke, 1985), peer rejection (Asher & Wheeler, 1985), and fewer friendships (Asher, Hymel, & Renshaw, 1984). Outside North America, little research has been conducted. Consequently the cross-national generality of these findings remains unclear. In the present study, we examined (a) whether Australian and American children experience similar levels of loneliness, (b) whether the relationship between sociometric and behavioral indices of social functioning and loneliness is similar for Australian and American children, and (c) whether these findings are consistent across sex and grade. Portions of the paper were presented at the American Educational Research Association, April 1991, Chicago. We thank the children, teachers. and school personnel for their participation in this research. Address correspondence to either Peter D. Renshaw, Faculty of Education, University of Queensland. St. Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia, or Peter J. Brown, School of Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150. Australia. 545
Downloaded by [Indiana University Libraries] at 01:12 16 March 2015
We obtained data for 126 children (65 boys, 61 girls) from third- through sixth-grade classes in an elementary school in Perth, Western Australia, and 121 children (64 boys, 57 girls) from third- through sixth-grade classes in an elementary school in a midwestern U.S. city. The children in both samples came from middle-class families and were predominantly White (>85%). By using the loneliness scale developed by Asher et al. (1984), we collected information about experiences of loneliness and social dissatisfaction. We assessed children’s peer acceptance by using a 1-5 rating scale sociometric (Singleton & Asher, 1977). An average play rating received from samesex peers was calculated and transformed to a standardized score within classes. The friendship score was the sum total of same-sex nominations that each child received. In addition, every teacher completed an eight-item social behavior rating scale for each child studied. providing information on social withdrawal versus engagement and aggressive versus prosocial behavior (see Renshaw & Brown, 1991). Ratings for each item were standardized to account for individual differences in teachers’ use of the scale and were summed to form separate scores for withdrawal and aggression. A three-way (Sex x Grade x Country) analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant Sex X Country interaction, F ( I , 231) = 7.00, p < .O 1 . Follow-up analyses indicated that the Australian female subjects were less lonely than the U.S. female subjects, F ( I , 116) = 12.30, p < .001 and that, in the U.S. sample, girls were more lonely than boys, F ( 1 , 119) = 4.90, p < .05. Correlations between indices of social functioning and loneliness indicated that, for the Australian and U.S. samples, more loneliness was associated with lower peer status (both rs = - .35), fewer friendships (rs = - .39 and - .41, respectively), and more withdrawn behavior (rs = .39 and .29, respectively). As expected, loneliness was not found to be associated with aggressive behavior (rs = - .03 and .02, respectively). Tests of differences in the magnitude of correlation coefficients using Fisher’s transformation procedure indicated no significant sex or grade differences in (a) the pattern of correlations between national samples or (b) in the pattern of correlation coefficients within each national sample, with the exception that the relation between loneliness and withdrawn behavior was stronger for Australian boys ( r = .52) than for Australian girls ( r = .25), z = 1.77, p < .05. Across the period from middle childhood to preadolescence, similar levels of loneliness were reported by Australian and U.S. children. The one exception (Sex x Country effect) suggests that more research is required to clarify whether girls in the United States consistently report more loneliness than either their Australian counterparts or their male peers in the United States. Our data suggest that, for both sexes and for both national samples, a similar pattern occurs between loneliness and social behavior (lonely children are more withdrawn) and between loneliness and sociometric measures (lonely children are less accepted by classmates and have fewer friends). Fu-
Renshaw & Brown
547
ture research should be directed toward examining whether these findings hold for more heterogeneous samples of children, as little is known about the intersection of ethnicity, social class, and sex in experiences of loneliness in middle childhood.
Downloaded by [Indiana University Libraries] at 01:12 16 March 2015
REFERENCES Asher, S. R., Hymel, S., & Renshaw, P. D. (1984). Loneliness in children. Child Development, 55, 1456-1464. Asher, S. R., Parkhurst, J. T., Hymel, S . , & Williams, G. A. (1990). Peer rejection and loneliness in childhood. In S. R. Asher & J. D. Coie (Eds.), Peer rejection in childhood (pp. 253-273). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Asher, S. R . , & Wheeler, V. A. (1985). Children’s loneliness: A comparison of rejected and neglected peer status. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 53,500-505. Hymel, S., & Franke, S. (1985). Children’s peer relations: Assessing selfperceptions. In B. H. Schneider, K . H. Rubin, & J. E. Ledingham (Eds.), Children’s peer relations: Issues in assessment and intervention (pp. 75-91). New York: Springer-Verlag. Renshaw, P. D.,& Brown, P. J. (199 I ) . Loneliness in middle childhood: Concurrent and longitudinal predictors. Manuscript submitted for publication. Singleton, L. C., & Asher, S. R. (1977). Peer preferences and social interaction among third-grade children in an integrated school district. Journal of Educational Psycholo~y,69. 330-336.
Received August 7. 1991
