Citation

Caravita SC, Pöyhönen V, Rajala I, Salmivalli C. Br. J. Dev. Psychol. 2011; 29(Pt 3): 668-679.

Affiliation

Centro di Ricerca sulle Dinamiche Evolutive ed Educative (C.R.I.d.e.e.), Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milano and Brescia, Italy Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Finland Centre for Behavioural Research, University of Stavanger, Norway.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, British Psychological Society)

DOI

10.1111/j.2044-835X.2011.02034.x

PMID

21848752

Abstract

We tested the construct validity of a two-dimensional model of high status, consisting of social acceptance and perceived popularity (hereafter, acceptance and popularity) among Finnish children and adolescents. In addition, we investigated the correlates of the two forms of high status, as well as their relations to resource control. Participants were 563 boys and girls in grades four and eight, that is, aged 10-11 and 14-15. CFA and SEM models supported the hypothesis of acceptance and popularity representing distinct, yet associated constructs that have partly different correlates. Acceptance and popularity were most closely connected among grade four students, particularly among boys. Prosocial behaviour was associated with acceptance, whereas peer-valued characteristics (physical attractiveness, athletic ability) and aggression were related especially to popularity. Popularity, but not acceptance, was positively related to resource control.

Language: en