Gender differences in friendship selection and friendship quality of children with and without learning disabilities

grantor: University of TorontoThis study was an investigation of gender differences in friendship selection and friendship quality in children with and without learning disabilities (LD). The participants were 110 children in grades 4 to 6, 55 of whom had identified learning disabilities. They participated in a structured individual interview about their best friends. Parents, teachers and friends were given an adapted version of this interview. Analyses revealed significant gender differences in friendship nominations which were corroborated by parents and/or reciprocated by peers. Boys with LD were more likely to nominate friends who were younger, family members, and outside of their school. Girls with LD were more likely to interact with their friends on the telephone and at home, while boys with LD were more likely to interact with their friends in the neighbourhood. The quality of friendships reported by children with and without LD differed on the dimensions of conflict and betrayal and conflict resolution, but no significant gender differences were found.M.A