Predicting Stable Peer Rejection From Kindergarten to Grade One

Compared the social behavior of stable and unstable rejected children from kindergarten (T[sub 1]) to Grade one (T[sub 2]), on the basis of data provided by peers and teachers. A secondary goal was to distinguish the stable rejected subjects based on the behavior and sociometric data available in kindergarten. Three-hundred children (168 boys; 132 girls) participated in the study at both time periods. Results indicated that children with a stable rejected status were less prosocial at T[sub 1] but not more aggressive or disruptive than their classmates whose rejected status was transitory. Lack of prosociality best predicted their belonging to the same status category at T[sub 2]. Inclusion of behavior correlates when predicting stable rejection was stressed.