Premium
Gender‐Based Relationship Efficacy: Children's Self‐Perceptions in Intergroup Contexts
Author(s) -
Zosuls Kristina M.,
Field Ryan D.,
Martin Carol Lynn,
Andrews Naomi C. Z.,
England Dawn E.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1467-8624
pISSN - 0009-3920
DOI - 10.1111/cdev.12209
Subject(s) - psychology , optimal distinctiveness theory , developmental psychology , construct (python library) , perception , self efficacy , peer group , social psychology , neuroscience , computer science , programming language
This research introduces a new construct, gender‐based relationship efficacy, which refers to beliefs about one's ability to relate to own‐ and other‐gender peers. Study 1 investigated 204 fourth graders ( M age = 9.56) and confirmed that own‐gender and other‐gender relationship efficacy represent distinguishable aspects of preadolescents' social competency beliefs that are differentially related to outcomes with own‐ and other‐gender peers, including outcome expectancies and friendships with own‐ and other‐gender peers. Study 2 provided further evidence of the distinctiveness of relationship efficacy for own‐ and other‐gender peers among 403 seventh ( M age = 12.48) and 453 eighth ( M age = 13.50) graders and found gender and age differences. Developmental changes and implications for research on intergroup relationships are discussed.