Assessing the Friendship Quality of Children between the Ages of 9 and 12 Based on Certain Variables

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the friendship qualities of 9-12 years old students differ according to socio-demographic variables. The study group consisted of 667 students attending the 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th and 6 th grades of the schools in the Battalgazi district of Malatya in the 2018-2019 academic year. A personal information form prepared by the researcher to collect demographic data and the Friendship Quality Scale were used to measure friendship quality levels. In the data analysis, mean, independent sample t test, oneway analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used. According to the findings, it was found out that the dimensions of friendship quality, which students attach the most importance to, were trust, validation and support, self-disclosure, conflict, companionship and recreation; the least important the dimension of friendship quality is the help and guidance. According to the of gender, grade level, academic achievement and economic status, there is a significant difference in of the students' friendship quality. According to gender, female students' friendship quality was found to be higher levels than male students. As the grade level progresses, the friendship quality of the students increases. It has been found that the increase in academic achievement of students positively affects the quality of friendship. It was observed that the increase in the economic status of the students positively reflects the friendship quality.