A developmental perspective on peer rejection: Mechanisms of stability andchange

This study examines factors associated with the relative stability of peer rejection among elementary school-aged children. Forty-four initially rejec ted children (some of whom improved their social status while others remain ed rejected over a 2-year period) were recruited from a larger sociometric sample;Prospective analyses were conducted to determine whether peer nomina ted aggression and children's perceptions of their own status in fourth gra de were predictive of status improvement by the end of fifth grade. In addi tion to prospective analyses, initially rejected children and their mothers were invited to participate in a retrospective interview about their socia l experiences over the past 2 school years. Results of prospective and retr ospective analyses suggested that perceived social status, participation in extracurricular activities, locus of control, and parental monitoring were all positively related to status improvement among initially rejected chil dren. Surprisingly, aggressive behavior also was positively: related to sta tus improvement among initially rejected boys.