Children’s Perspectives on the Social Exclusion of Peers with Behavioural Difficulties

Children who display externalizing behaviours are more likely than their peers to experience social exclusion. To better examine this topic, the perspectives of peers were investigated. Thirty-six participants were interviewed from a school in Southwestern Ontario. Participants were asked why they believe children with behavioural difficulties may be socially excluded by peers. Unique statements were extracted from the transcribed data. Participants were invited back to sort the statements into meaningful categories. Sorted data were analyzed using multi-dimensional scaling and cluster analysis. A five-cluster solution was selected as the best conceptual and statistical fit for the data. The clusters in this solution reflected (a) Disruptive Play Behaviour, (b) Problematic Social Interactions, (c) Stigmatizing Beliefs, (d) Fear, and (e) Not Belonging. The data collected from this study provides insight to the social interactions of children with behavioural difficulties. The information garnered in this approach allowed children’s perspective of social exclusion to be heard