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Adolescents’ Characteristics and Peer Relationships in Class: A Population Study

Author

Listed:
  • Elisa Cavicchiolo

    (Department of Human, Philosophical and Educational Sciences, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy)

  • Fabio Lucidi

    (Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Pierluigi Diotaiuti

    (Department of Human Sciences, Society and Health, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, 03043 Cassino, Italy)

  • Andrea Chirico

    (Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Federica Galli

    (Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Sara Manganelli

    (National Institute for the Evaluation of the Education System (INVALSI), 00153 Rome, Italy)

  • Monica D’Amico

    (Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Flavia Albarello

    (Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Laura Girelli

    (Department of Human, Philosophical and Educational Sciences, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy)

  • Mauro Cozzolino

    (Department of Human, Philosophical and Educational Sciences, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy)

  • Maurizio Sibilio

    (Department of Human, Philosophical and Educational Sciences, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy)

  • Arnaldo Zelli

    (Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Luca Mallia

    (Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Sara Germani

    (Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Tommaso Palombi

    (Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Dario Fegatelli

    (Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Marianna Liparoti

    (Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Laura Mandolesi

    (Department of Humanities, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80133 Naples, Italy)

  • Fabio Alivernini

    (Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate differences in adolescents’ social relationships with classmates of diverse gender, socioeconomic status, immigrant background, and academic achievement. Methods: A population of 10th-grade students (N = 406,783; males = 50.3%; M age = 15.57 years, SD age = 0.75) completed the Classmates Social Isolation Questionnaire (CSIQ), an instrument specifically designed to measure two distinct but correlated types of peer relationships in class: peer acceptance and peer friendship. To obtain reliable comparisons across diverse adolescent characteristics, the measurement invariance of the CSIQ was established by means of CFAs and then latent mean differences tests were performed. Results: Immigrant background, academic achievement, and socioeconomic status all proved to be important factors influencing relationships with classmates, while being a male or a female was less relevant. Being a first-generation immigrant adolescent appears to be the foremost risk factor for being less accepted by classmates, while having a low academic achievement is the greatest hindrance for having friends in the group of classmates, a finding that diverges from previous studies. Conclusions: This population study suggests that adolescent characteristics (especially immigrant background, socioeconomic status, and academic achievement) seem to affect social relationships with classmates.

Suggested Citation

  • Elisa Cavicchiolo & Fabio Lucidi & Pierluigi Diotaiuti & Andrea Chirico & Federica Galli & Sara Manganelli & Monica D’Amico & Flavia Albarello & Laura Girelli & Mauro Cozzolino & Maurizio Sibilio & Ar, 2022. "Adolescents’ Characteristics and Peer Relationships in Class: A Population Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:15:p:8907-:d:869008
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hjalmarsson, Simon & Mood, Carina, 2015. "Do poorer youth have fewer friends? The role of household and child economic resources in adolescent school-class friendships," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 201-211.
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