Self-perceived unpopularity: Its relationship to emotional and behavioral problems

Abstract

Childhood unpopularity has been a focus of study but earlier studies have not highlighted children's self-perceptions and their relationship to childhood adaptation. The authors studied 404 children preschool to third grade to examine early risk and current factors associated with feelings of unpopularity. Children who perceived themselves as unpopular in grade three experienced multiple problems in functioning, although they were largely unobtrusive “silent sufferers.” Self-perceived unpopularity was most strongly related to current factors and served as a marker of emotional difficulties. Implications for identification of these vulnerable children and suggestions for future research are presented.