Why is your youngster’s sociometric status important?
Research shows that strong social connections influence the well-being, emotional, and physical needs of children. Studies also suggest that children with high sociometric status display better interpersonal skills along with having lower inflammation levels. The sociometric status is an indicator of how a child is viewed among peers. It is measured by researchers to better understand behavioral outcomes in children through peer relationships. The sociometric status can affect a child’s future in terms of social conditioning like building friendships and relations. It is a marker of how children view themselves in the larger picture.
How is sociometric status measured?
In developmental psychology, this phenomenon is used to determine a child’s peer engagement, the stability in relationships over some time, the characteristics that determine it, and the long-term implications of peer status. The most commonly used sociometric measurement system was developed by in 1988 to determine the rate at which children like or dislike each of their classmates. The responses were further recorded through different categories. Kids may be asked to nominate three other kids whom they like or dislike the most. To simplify the process, a five-category model was developed to measure the sociometric status. Here is a brief explanation of the five categories:
Popular: Adolescents liked by many and disliked by very few come in this category. These individuals, who maintain a positive rate of peer relationships, they tend to have characteristic traits like friendliness, cooperation, sensitivity, and social skills. Among this group are two subcategories that distinguish between accepted and very popular children. Accepted kids are part of every peer group while very popular kids are charismatic and draw peers towards them.
Rejected: Teens who receive many negative nominations are put in this category. These kids have poor academic records and behavioural problems in school. They are most likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, conduct disorder, and substance abuse. Kids belonging to this category tend to display a sense of loneliness, isolation, and are at a higher risk of depression. This category is further divided into two subcategories namely, aggressive rejected and withdrawn rejected. The first category is typically hostile, display threatening behaviour, and are physically aggressive and destructive. They may turn out to be bullies who overestimate social competence. Kids in the other category are socially withdrawn, timid, anxious, and lack confidence. They are at risk of being bullied.
Controversial: Individuals who are liked and disliked by many fall into this category. These kids possess characteristics of both popular and rejected categories. They are socially active and great leaders but are generally viewed as snobbish and arrogant by many.
Neglected: Kids who do not receive too many positive or negative nominations fall into this category. They tend to remain unnoticed, avoid confrontation and may remain isolated, although they tend to perform well academically.
Average: They receive average amount of nomination by each group, liked by a small group of kids and not disliked by many.
Impact of sociometric status
Researchers have found out that sociometric status can influence long-term health conditions. Teens having a low sense of belonging at school are most like to feel “low each week,” suggest various findings. Poor social status can also lead to drinking problems, depression, and anxiety in kids at large. Some studies have found out that tweens with better social status remained healthy compared to tweens with a low social status. Tweens who put little consideration into their status at school may be capable of adjusting to social situations in a better manner.