Social network isolation across the transition to middle school
by Murray, Kathryn J., Ph.D., THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL, 2010, 114 pages; 3418725

Abstract:

The objective of this study was to examine the concurrent and longitudinal social and behavioral correlates of social network isolation and the patterns of isolation across the transition to middle school. It was hypothesized that students who were isolated from the social network would also have difficulties with aspects of school and social-emotional functioning, including teacher-rated internalizing and externalizing behavior, self-reported school belonging, peer-rated sociometric status (including social preference and social impact), and teacher-rated participation in friendships. It was further hypothesized that isolation would remain stable; students who were isolated at one time point would be more likely to be isolated at future time points than would students who were integrated into the social network. Students who were not members of social groups identified by the Social Cognitive Mapping Procedure were considered isolated from the social network, and were the focus of the current study. The results of this study indicated that isolated students were at increased risk of difficulty on measures of school functioning (internalizing behavior, externalizing behavior, and school belonging) at some time points around the middle school transition, but not at others. Students who were isolated from the social network had increased risk of difficulty on measures of social functioning (social preference, social impact, and friendships) at all three time points around the transition. In addition, the results of this study suggested that students who were isolated at one time point were more likely to remain isolated at future time points than would be expected by chance. Finally, the results of this study suggested that the experience of social isolation at one or more time points was significantly related to difficulties with school belonging after the transition, but not internalizing or externalizing behaviors, after controlling for initial levels of functioning. The results of this study suggest that the experience of social network isolation is related to some difficulties in concurrent and longitudinal functioning, and is related to increased risk of continued isolation. Limitations of the current study and implications for future research were discussed.

 
AdvisersJill Hamm; Steve Knotek
SchoolTHE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
SourceDAI/B 71-09, p. , Sep 2010
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsMiddle school education; Social psychology; Educational psychology
Publication Number3418725
Adobe PDF Access the complete dissertation:
 

» Find an electronic copy at your library.
  Use the link below to access a full citation record of this graduate work:
  http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl%3furl_ver=Z39.88-2004%26res_dat=xri:pqdiss%26rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation%26rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3418725
  If your library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, you may be entitled to a free electronic version of this graduate work. If not, you will have the option to purchase one, and access a 24 page preview for free (if available).

About ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
With over 2.3 million records, the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world. It is the database of record for graduate research.

The database includes citations of graduate works ranging from the first U.S. dissertation, accepted in 1861, to those accepted as recently as last semester. Of the 2.3 million graduate works included in the database, ProQuest offers more than 1.9 million in full text formats. Of those, over 860,000 are available in PDF format. More than 60,000 dissertations and theses are added to the database each year.

If you have questions, please feel free to visit the ProQuest Web site - http://www.proquest.com - or call ProQuest Hotline Customer Support at 1-800-521-3042.