Children who play with friends cope better with the move to secondary school
The transition from primary school to secondary school can be a challenge for children, but those who undertake more activities and play with friends may cope better with the change.
Studies have shown an increase in mental health problems and a decline in well-being in children in the early secondary school years. Research by Helen Drew from the University of Sussex, who surveyed 484 children aged between ten and thirteen – school years 6, 7 and 8, shows children with higher levels of social activity demonstrated greater wellbeing, and indicate that this may be because taking part in these activities helped improve their self-esteem and self-belief.
According to a press release, the children part of the study were asked to complete surveys measuring their social activities, the support they received from friends and adults, psychological factors such as their self-esteem and self-efficacy, and their mental health and well-being. They answered the same questions at two different times, six months apart.
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“Our findings show how everyday peer interactions and the quality of peer relationships at this time, particularly positive qualities in best friendships, are strong predictors of psychological adjustment, over and above the sense of support from adults in young adolescents,” Helen Drew said.
The findings were recently presented at the annual conference of the British Psychological Society in Brighton.
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