COMPENSATORY PATTERNS OF SUPPORT AMONG CHILDRENS PEER RELATIONSHIPS - A TEST USING SCHOOL FRIENDS, NONSCHOOL FRIENDS, AND SIBLINGS

We examined the extent to which isolated and aggressive 6th graders compensate for unsatisfying school friendships by deriving support from siblings and nonschool friends and whether this support protects such children from poor socioemotional outcomes. Results were as follows: (a) When compared with average and aggressive children, isolated children perceived their school friendships as least supportive and their favorite sibling relationships as most supportive; (b) isolated, aggressive, and average children did not differ in their perceptions of support from nonschool friends; and (c) high support from a favorite sibling was associated with better adjustment among isolated children on select outcomes. Despite the somewhat ameliorating role of siblings for isolated children, isolated children with high sibling support remained less well adjusted than did average children.