Abstract

Self-perceived social competence (SSC) is one of the important mediating factors of social adaptation. This study is designed to investigate contributing variables in the formation of SSC in 4-6th graders of two elementary schools in AnYang City using multiple informants. The participants completed Harters Self-Perception Profile, Friendship Quality Scale, Korean Modified Peer Nominating Inventory (K-MPNI) and Peer Rating Scale measuring social-preference. Parents of the subjects completed Korean Child Behavior Checklist (K-CBCL). Partial correlation and SEM were performed, controlling sex and grade. Social-preference scores and support from the best friend were significantly positively correlated with SSC. Internalizing behavioral disturbances and the degree of victimization of school bullying were significantly negatively correlated with SSC. SEM revealed that behavioral disturbances including internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems were related to negative SSC indirectly via low peer-acceptance which is composed of social preference and victimization by peers. Support from the best friend was a protective factor, preventing negative impact of low social acceptance on SSC.