Adolescent self-reports of social activity: assessment of stability and relations to social adjustment

Adolescents' self-reports of peer social activity were examined with regard to short-term stability and in relation to social adjustment. Two separate periods of data collection are reported; year 1 with 74 grade nine students and year 2 with 76 grade nine students. On both occasions, four administrations of a self-report questionnaire were undertaken. As well, in year 2, social adjustment ratings, indices of perceived competence and self-efficacy, and IQ were collected. The analyses of the measure's consistency indicated acceptable stability of the self reports across two weeks and high internal consistency. These findings indicate the potential utility of this methodology for studying peer activity. Zero-order and multiple correlation analyses between social activity, self-evaluations and social adjustment were computed. The analyses suggest that peer social activity is correlated with social self-esteem, enhanced social self-efficacy and teacher's ratings of social engagement. Social isolation appeared to be an independent dimension and was related to lowered self-esteem and teacher ratings of social withdrawal. Overall, the results of the study add to our understanding of the components of social adjustment in adolescence.