Friendship and support networks among students with disabilities in middle school

Abstract

This study explored the social processes associated with tie formation in friendship and support networks of Grade 8 students with disabilities in a highly diverse classroom. Driven by a social network perspective, we employed exponential random graph models (ERGMs) and separable temporal exponential random graph models (STERGMs) to explore tie formation in these networks over time. The statistical analysis of network data through ERGMs and STERGMs presents a novel approach in understanding social participation and the use of such approach is exemplified. Results suggest that students with disabilities were more likely to form support ties with each other and less likely to send and receive help ties with others. They were also less likely to receive friendship ties than their peers. Although generalizability is limited, these findings have important implications for practice in relation to the social participation of middle school students with disabilities.