Suez Canal University Arish Faculty of Education Department of Mental Health

A Study of Some Psychological Characteristics of the Children Rejected and Neglected by their Peers at the Primary Stage
By

Ashraf Reda Mohamed Yousif

Thesis for master degree in Education (Mental Health)

Supervised by

Dr. Abd EL-Moniem Abdullah Haseeb

Associate Professor of Mental Health Department of Mental Health Arish Faculty of Education Suez Canal University

Dr. Hala Mohamed Ayoub Elshrief

Lecturer of Educational Psychology Department of Educational Psychology Arish Faculty of Education Suez Canal University

2011

Summary of the Study Introduction: A primary school class includes various pupils who are different in their abilities, aptitudes, and skills. They are often classified into three categories: peer accepted, peer neglected, and peer rejected. Both peer neglected and peer rejected pupils suffer psychologically due to their low social positions making them more vulnerable to aggression, social isolation, and general personality disorder. Therefore, educationalists and childhood researchers should highlight such an important topic. Significance of the Study: The significance of the study can be attributed to the following reasons: 1- Highlighting the psychological characteristics of peer beloved, peer neglected, and peer rejected children. 2- Lack of Arabic researches and studies on peer rejected and peer neglected children despite its importance. 3- Supporting late childhood educators in defining peer rejected and peer neglected primary stage pupils. 4- The importance of late childhood in revealing peer rejected and peer neglected children. Purposes of the Study: The purposes of this study are as follows: 1- Examining statistically significant differences in social skills among peer rejected and peer neglected children in the primary stage. 2- Examining statistically significant differences in some personal characteristics of peer rejected and peer neglected children in the primary stage. 3- Examining statistically significant differences in empathy among peer rejected and peer neglected children in the primary stage. 4-Examining statistically significant differences in psychological characteristics among male and female peer rejected and peer neglected children in the primary stage. Terms of the Study The study discussed the following terms: 2- Psychological Characteristics:

II

 social skills Children's socially accepted behaviors that lead to social adaptation and peer acceptance. personality characteristics Characteristics and traits attributed to peer beloved, peer rejected, and peer neglected children who reveal positive behaviors. Empathy Affective participation of peer accepted children for gaining more approval and acceptance. 2- Peer rejection Lack of classroom peers' love and acceptance in light of sociometric tests. 3- Peer neglection Lack of socialization and participation in classroom activities, and desire of isolation and loneliness due to peer neglection. 4- Primary stage children Six to twelve year- old children. The study was limited to nine to eleven year old children. Conceptual Framework: The following issues were discussed : 1-Psychological and social characteristics of children in the late childhood. 2- Psychological and social characteristics of peer rejected and peer neglected children in the late childhood. 3- Identifying peer rejected and peer neglected children. 4- Peer group. Review of literature: The researcher discussed previous studies on psychological and social characteristics of peer rejected and peer neglected children and commented on them.

III

 Hypotheses of the Study: 1- There is a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of peer beloved and peer rejected primary stage children on social skill scale in favor of beloved children. 2- There is a statistically significant difference on the mean scores of personal characteristic test among peer beloved , peer rejected, and peer neglected primary stage children in favor of beloved children. 3- There is a statistically significant difference on the mean scores of empathy scale among peer beloved , peer rejected, and peer neglected primary stage children in favor of beloved children. 4- There is a statistically significant difference on the mean scores of some psychological characteristics among male and female peer beloved , peer rejected, and peer neglected primary stage children . Methodology of the Study: The study used descriptive method which includes survey studies on psychological literature of the topic of the study in an attempt to gather information to examine the hypotheses of the study and select the appropriate tools. Sample of the Study: The sample of the study consisted of 100 male and 117 female Azhar primary stage pupils in North Sinai Governorate in the academic year 2010/2011. The mean age was 10 years old. Tools of the Study: 1- Sociometric scale ( developed by Dr. Sobhy Abdel- Fattah Kafory), 1995 . 2- Young Children Social Skill Scale (developed by Matson, J. L. et al 1983, and translated and implemented in Arabic society by Muhammed El-Sayed Abdel- Rahman). 3- Personality Esteem Scale(developed by Rohner , 1984, and translated and implemented in Arabic society by Mamdoha Salama). 4- Bryant Empathy Scale (developed by Brenda K. Bryant , 1982, and translated and implemented in Arabic society by the researcher).

IV

 Statistical Methods: 1- Correlation Coefficients. 2- Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to examine the statistical significance between the scores of the sample of the study on different tools. Then, Bonferroni test were used. 3- T test to examine statistically significant differences. Findings of the Study: The findings of the study can be summarized as follows: 1- The first hypothesis confirmed that there was a statistically significant difference at (0.01) in social skill subscales ( negative emotions, positive emotions, initiation, and psychological and social control) in favor of beloved children. 2- The second hypothesis confirmed that there was a statistically significant difference at (0.01), and (0.05) in personality esteem subscales ( aggression, dependence, self- esteem, self competence, emotional reaction, emotional stability, and view of life) in favor of beloved children. 3- The third hypothesis confirmed that there was a statistically significant difference at (0.01), and (0.05) in total empathy scale ( negative emotions, positive emotions, initiation, and psychological and social control) in favor of beloved children. 4- The fourth hypothesis confirmed that there is not a statistically significant difference at (0.05) in some psychological characteristics ( social skills, personal characteristics, and empathy) among male and female peer beloved , peer rejected, and peer neglected primary stage children . In conclusion, recommendation and educational implementations are discussed. Finally references are cited.