Importance of Positive Peer Relations: The Impact of Psychological Flexibility on Children’s Peer Liking, Resilience, and Loneliness

A substantial body of research documents that children’s peers provide an important social arena for children’s development and adjustment. In the current study, possible moderating effects of the link between children’s peer liking and loneliness were investigated, specifically psychological flexibility and resources promoting resilience. A total of 202 students (55% girls; 68% White) in grades 3 through 5 completed self- and peer-report measures on psychosocial functioning and social standing within their classroom. Latent moderated structural equation modeling revealed that children’s psychological flexibility reduced the negative association between a) peer acceptance and loneliness and b) resources promoting resilience and loneliness. Specifically, high levels of psychological flexibility provided protection against loneliness for children with low peer liking and low resources. These findings provide insight into the strengths-based factors underlying children’s social milieu. Clinical implications of targeting children’s psychological flexibility are discussed