Social Exclusion amongst Adolescent Girls Their self‐esteem and coping strategies

Abstract

This study investigated the possible effects on self‐esteem of adolescent girls who are excluded from friendship groups. Questionnaires were completed by 105 girls to measure their self‐esteem and assess the extent to which they were socially excluded. The majority did not regard social exclusion as bullying. Socially excluded girls were even less likely to think so than those who were not. Frequently excluded girls had lower self‐esteem. Interviews with 18 socially excluded girls indicated that their main strategies were peer‐oriented (passive constructive). The implications for preventing and lessening social exclusion are discussed.