Behavioral correlates of peer exclusion and victimization of east Asian American and European American young adolescents

The present study examined behavioral correlates of peer exclusion and victimization among sixth-grade European and East Asian American young adolescents, with an emphasis on aggressive and socially withdrawn behaviors. Concurrent and short-term longitudinal (over 1 academic year) associations between behavior and the distinct forms of peer adversity (victimization/ exclusion) were assessed. Results varied by gender and ethnicity and suggested that social withdrawal was associated with exclusion, whereas aggression was associated with victimization. Interactions between gender and aggression predicted peer victimization after controlling for prior victimization. Extremely aggressive girls were more likely to be victimized than nonaggressive girls. Interactions between gender, ethnicity, and behavior predicted exclusion, controlling for prior exclusion. Extremely withdrawn European American girls were less excluded than nonwithdrawn European American girls. Universals emerged in the prediction of exclusion from withdrawal for all other groups and from aggression for all four groups. These results highlight the importance of considering ethnicity and gender in the links between different behaviors and the distinct forms of peer adversity.