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Item An investigation into the friendship behaviour of Maori and pakeha children : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Education at Massey University(Massey University, 1977) Young, Robert JosephIn this thesis, two aspects of the friendship behaviour of a group of children are investigated to see whether an apparent difference in patterns of behaviour between Maori and Pakeha children is supported. Two questionnaires requiring written answers are prepared and presented to all the pupils (938 in all) in the Form One intake of all five schools in a North Island town, on two occasions six months apart. These surveys provide the data on which the analysis is carried out. The relevant literature is searched for possible 'causes' of the presumed difference in behaviour. A hypothetical explanation is proposed derived from the literature which places emphasis on the effect of different patterns of child socialization, believed to be culturally based. In particular, it is suggested that Maori families might still be influenced by traditional child-rearing patterns which exert some influence towards friendship networks which are larger and more fluid than those of Pakeha children. This is the question being investigated. Besides the variable Ethnicity, the effects of four other variables, considered to be plausible . alternatives, are included in the investigation. All five variables are believed to have significant influence within the family life experiences of children. The effects of these variables on the criterion variables, the Size and Persistence of the children's friendship groups, are measured and compared. The first stage of the analysis indicates that among the children surveyed, the Maori children tend to prefer friendship groups that are larger but more changeable than those of Pakeha children. However, the result of the second stage analysis, using multiple regression analysis, indicates that when the effects of the other variables are controlled for, the influence of ethnicity is in fact negligible. Of far more significance are the effects of family size and the presence of similar age relatives, variables which are closely correlated with ethnicity. A contributary factor to the original impression would the high 'visibility' of the Maori children. The results of the investigation do not lend any support to the explanation proposed, viz. that the friendship behaviour of Maori children is still showing the influence of traditional child-rearing practices. The evidence suggests that larger and more changeable friendship groups tend to be favoured by those children, Maori or Pakeha, who grow up in association with a large group of similar age siblings and cousins.Item The role of friendships in children's happiness and wellbeing(Massey University, 2015) Taylor, Jane C.Several studies have shown that the presence of a best friend, but not a child’s popularity, is a significant predictor of positive mental health. This study was designed to examine whether ‘best friendship’ and ‘popularity’ have differential effects on the happiness and wellbeing of primary school children in New Zealand. Children (23 males and 35 females aged approximately 9-‐10 years old) listed three classroom friends, including their best friend for whom they completed a Friendship Intimacy Scale of common friendship activities (such as sharing secrets). Children also completed three measures of happiness and wellbeing. Each child was assessed as high or low in popularity on the basis of the number of friendship nominations received. Each child was also assessed as either having a best friend or not according to whether their best-‐friend nomination was reciprocated or not and whether or not the pair engaged in a high level of common friendship activities. This created four types of friendship patterns: ‘high popular/best friend’, ‘high popular/no best friend’, ‘low popular/best friend’ and ‘low popular/no best friend’. Scores on the measures of happiness and wellbeing were examined as a function of the four friendship types. Unlike previous research, no significant differences in happiness and wellbeing were found between the four groups. These results are discussed in terms of the limitations of the study and the opportunities for further research.