Date of Award:

2011

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Special Education and Rehabilitation

Advisor/Chair:

Judith Holt PhD

Abstract

Friendship is one of the hallmarks of social competence, yet few studies of interventions intended to increase social competence have evaluated their effectiveness through the formation of friendships. Peer-mediated interventions have been found to increase social competency and improve sociometric peer acceptance. Based on these findings from previous research, this study evaluated the effects of a peer-mediated intervention on the formation of reciprocal friendship for preschool children with disabilities. Evaluation using behavioral observations and sociometric nominations of friendship from classmates suggest that participation in a peer-mediated intervention may precipitate friendship formation.

Comments

This work made publicly available electronically on April 12, 2012.

Copyright for this work is retained by the student.