Investigated the extent of children's loneliness, their perceived ease in making friends, their estimated social competence as a function of grade and sex, and their preferences concerning eight childhood activities. A loneliness scale and a sociometric peer nomination form were administered to 364 students in grades two, four, and six. (Author/BN)

Examined preschoolers' peer acceptance, aggression, and peer competence. Found that children with at least one mutual friend were better liked by peers and were rated by teachers as being more competent than children with no mutual friend. Children with at least one mutual friend were better liked by peers a year later than children with no mutual…

Forty second grade and 40 fifth grade elementary school children participated in a study to examine the relationship of three factors to the development of trust in children's peer relations: participation in a best friend relationship, social status, and changes in factors children consider when making judgments of trust. (RWB)