Perceptions of friendships among Chinese-American and European-American children and adolescents
Abstract
The present study was conducted to examine perceptions and perceived importance of friendship features and friends' characteristics among Chinese-American and European-American children and adolescents. We were especially interested in their perceptions of conflict and prosocial behavior and their perceptions of friends' agreeableness, social orientation, and achievement-related characteristics. Eighty-two fourth- and eighth-grade Chinese-American and European-American children and adolescents in Maryland and Northern Virginia participated in this study. Participants filled out questionnaires about their perceptions and perceived importance of friendship features and friends' characteristics. They were also interviewed about their friendships with their best friends. Findings of this study revealed that European-American children and adolescents rated their friendships higher in support for self-esteem than did Chinese-American children and adolescents. Fourth-grade Chinese-American reported fewer conflicts and fewer prosocial behavior in their friendships than did eighth-grade Chinese-American and European-American children. They also reported fewer prosocial behavior in their friendships than did fourth-grade European-American children. Developmental and sex differences in children's and adolescents' perceptions of friendship features were found. These differences are consistent with findings in current literature. Children's and adolescents' perceived importance of friendship features are consistent with the developmental and sex differences found in their perceptions of friendship features. In general, findings of our open-ended interviews support results found by using rating scales. We also found that children and adolescents hold very positive views about their friends' characteristics in various domains, and that there is a link between their perceptions of friends' characteristics and friendship features. Results of this study and future studies were discussed in terms of family and cultural influences and cultural integration.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Myers-Walls, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Developmental psychology|Minority & ethnic groups|Sociology
Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server.