PEER RELATIONSHIPS AND PREADOLESCENTS PERCEPTIONS OF SECURITY IN THE CHILD-MOTHER RELATIONSHIP

In 2 studies, peer relationships were related to children's perception s of security in the child-mother relationship. In Study 1, a sample o f 74 5th graders, children who viewed their relationship with their mo ther as more secure were significantly more accepted by peers, had mor e reciprocated friendships, and were less lonely than children who rat ed the relationship as less secure. In Study 2, a sample of 5th and 6t h graders, 44 same-gender friend pairs were videotaped in conversation and completed friendship questionnaires. Dyads in which both children were securely attached to their mothers were more responsive, were le ss critical, and reported more companionship than did friend dyads in which one child was securely and the other insecurely attached to his or her mother. The findings demonstrate links between the peer and fam ily systems in middle childhood.