2023 Volume 93 Issue 6 Pages 559-565
The present study investigates the relationship between acceptance and rejection experiences and affiliation motives of junior high school students using a longitudinal survey over a one-year period. A total of 399 junior high school students (193 boys and 206 girls) participated in this study. A cross-lagged model was used in a simultaneous multi-population analysis taking gender into account. Results showed that both genders had a positive path from Time 1 “Approval as a Classmate” and a negative path from “Infringed and Maladjustment” compared to the Time 2 affinity tendency. Furthermore, the results for Time 2 “Sensitivity to Rejection” suggested differences in the results by gender. It was suggested that the experience of acceptance by others are associated with the affinity motive in both genders, although there were differences by gender. These results suggested some points to keep in mind when implementing educational practices for the purpose of forming good friendships in junior high school.
