Title

The quality of friendships between children with and without learning problems

UMMS Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry

Publication Date

1997-04-01

Document Type

Article

Subjects

Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Adolescent Psychology; Decision Making; Female; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Learning Disorders; Male; Play and Playthings; Role

Disciplines

Psychiatric and Mental Health | Psychiatry and Psychology

Abstract

The nature and quality of preadolescent friendships between children with and without learning problems due to mental retardation or mild cognitive difficulties were investigated. Based on an assessment of the reciprocal relationship status of 373 children, including 54 with learning problems, 33 friend and 32 acquaintance dyads were identified. Of these dyads, half included a child with learning problems and half consisted of 2 children without learning problems. The dyads were observed performing a play task. Unlike friendships between children without disabilities, friendships between children with and without learning problems were marked by limited collaboration and shared decision-making, a low level of cooperative play and shared laughter, and an asymmetrical, hierarchical division of roles. The importance of advancing beyond the study of the social acceptance of children with learning problems to study the qualitative aspects of their friendships was discussed.

Source

Gary N. Siperstein, James S. Leffert, and Melodie Wenz-Gross (1997) The Quality of Friendships Between Children With and Without learning Problems. American Journal on Mental Retardation: April 1997, Vol. 102, No. 2, pp. 111-125.

Journal/Book/Conference Title

American journal of mental retardation : AJMR

Comments

At the time of publication, Melodie Wenz-Gross was not yet affiliated with the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Related Resources

Link to article in PubMed

PubMed ID

9327087

Link to Full Text

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