Objective: The aim of this research was to obtain the views of young children regarding their reasons for rejecting a peer. Method: To achieve this goal, we conducted a qualitative study in the context of theory building research using an analysis methodology based on Grounded Theory. The collected information was extracted through semi-structured individual interviews from a sample of 853 children aged six from 13 urban public schools in Spain. Results: The children provided 3,009 rejection nominations and 2,934 reasons for disliking the rejected peers. Seven reason categories emerged from the analysis. Four categories refer to behaviors of the rejected children that have a cost for individual peers or peer group such as: direct aggression, disturbance of wellbeing, problematic social and school behaviors and dominance behaviors. A further two categories refer to the identities arising from the preferences and choices of rejected and rejecter children and their peers: personal identity expressed through preferences and disliking, and social identity expressed through outgroup prejudices. The “no-behavior or no-choice” reasons were covered by one category, unfamiliarity. In addition, three context categories were found indicating the participants (interpersonal–group), the impact (low–high) and the subjectivity (subjective–objective) of the reason. Conclusion: This study provides researchers and practitioners with a comprehensive taxonomy of reasons for rejection that contributes to enrich the theoretical knowledge and improve interventions for preventing and reducing peer rejection.

Rechazo y victimización al alumnado con necesidad de apoyo educativo en primero de primaria

En el presente estudio se pretende elaborar un sistema de categorías de los motivos que los niños utilizan para justificar sus elecciones y rechazos. Con las respuestas emitidas en un cuestionario sociométrico de nominaciones positivas y negativas por 430 alumnos de quinto y sexto curso de Educación Primaria, pertenecientes a 21 aulas de centros públicos de Valladolid, Palma de Mallorca y Castellón de la Plana, se estableció un sistema con nueve categorías de aceptación y quince de rechazo. Las principales razones por las que se elige un amigo son la simpatía, la diversión y satisfacción conjunta y la presencia de características relevantes en una relación de amistad (confianza, lealtad, apoyo, ayuda…).Los principales motivos de rechazo son las conductas agresivas, especialmente la agresión psicológica (dominancia y superioridad, básicamente prepotencia), también la agresión física, la agresión verbal y gestual, y los comportamientos que revelan inmadurez y falta de atención y los que agobian y/o resultan molestos para los otros. Esta taxonomía de aceptaciones y rechazos puede ser la base para desarrollar programas de competencia social.The present study attempts to elaborate a category system of the reasons children give to justify their preferences and rejections. Using the answers given in a sociometric questionnaire consisting on positive and negative nominations by 430 pupils, in the fifth and sixth years of Primary Education, from 21 classes, in state schools in Valladolid, Palma de Mallorca, and Castellón de la Plana (Spain), a system was established with nine acceptance and fifteen rejection categories. The main reasons for choosing a friend include: friendliness, fun, and joint satisfaction, together with the presence of relevant characteristics for a friendship relation (trust, loyalty, support, help…). The main reasons for rejection are: aggressive behaviour, especially psychological aggression (dominance and superiority —basically arrogance), as well as physical, verbal and gestural aggression. Those whose behaviour reveals immaturity and lack of care also tend to be rejected, as do those who overwhelm and/or annoy others. This taxonomy of acceptance and rejection could be the basis for developing social skill programmes