The Influence of Gender Patterns and Grade Level on Friendship Expectations of Middle School Students ToWard Peers With Severe Disabilities

Abstract

This exploratory study investigated gender and grade level factors in friendship expectations of middle school students toWard their peers With severe disabilities. A total of 65 students from tWo middle schools Were surveyed using a specifically designed instrument called the Middle School Friendship Survey. Results indicated that typical middle school students had relatively loW friendship expectations for their peers With severe disabilities. Although there Were no significant differences in friendship expectations by gender, there Were differences across grade levels. Students in Grade 6 had loWer expectations for friendships than students in Grades 7 and 8. Unlike prior studies reported in the literature regarding friendship expectations toWard peers Without disabilities, the current study found that friendship expectations toWard peers With severe disabilities Were not influenced by gender, but by grade level. Implications and recommendations for practice are discussed.