RELATING CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILDREN AND THEIR FRIENDS TO RELATIONAL AND OVERT AGGRESSION

Composite scores of socioinetric ratings, number of friendship nominations, and social behavior nominations of mutual friends were compared to peer-nominated relational and overt aggression behaviors for 826 third- thorough sixth-grade children. Comparisons were made between boy-boy, girl-girl, and mixed-sex friendship dyads. Regardless of sex and type of aggression, the more aggressive a child appeared, the lower the childʹs social acceptability with peers and passive/solitary behavior nominations. Results indicated that the peer group may support gender-normative aggression while rejecting gender-nonnormative aggression In childrenʹs friendships. Mixed-sex versus same-sex friendship dyads were compared and different patterns of peer social competence were noted. Results are discussed in terms of the importance of evaluating relationship characteristics as well as individual characteristics for understanding peer social competence and aggression.