Edith Cowan University Research Online Theses : Honours Theses 2003 An Exploration of Psychological Sense of Community in Western Australian School Children Aged 7-8 Years Debra K. Roberts Edith Cowan University Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons Part of the Child Psychology Commons, and the Social Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Roberts, D. K. (2003). An Exploration of Psychological Sense of Community in Western Australian School Children Aged 7-8 Years. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/943 This Thesis is posted at Research Online. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/943 Edith Cowan University Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorize you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. 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Psychological Sense of Community in Children Running head: PSYCHOLOGICAL SENSE OF COMMUNITY IN CHILDREN An Exploration ofPsychological Sense of Community in Western Australian School Children aged 7-8 years. Debra K. Roberts. "A Report Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) Honours Faculty of Community Studies, Education and Social Sciences Edith Cowan University." October, 2003. "I declare that this written assignment is my own and does not include: (i) material from published sources used without acknowledgement; or I"),ll material copied from the work of other students". Signatu(i) .~ USE OF THESIS The Use of Thesis statement is not included in this version of the thesis. Psychological Sense of Community in Children ii An Exploration of Psychological Sense of Community in Western Australian School Children Abstract The current exploratory study examined Psychological Sense of Community (PSOC) in 16 Western Australian school children, between the ages of seven and eight from two schools in the Perth metropolitan region. The aim was to identify whether young children understand the concept ofPSOC, within their school environment. A qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews was employed. Questions were generated based on the Neighbourhood Youth Inventmy (NYI) and the Sense of Community Index (SCI), a.J a measure of children's PSOC in their school environment. A themati,;,; content analysis was performed using a question ordered matrix, to compile common themes and meanings from within the descriptive data. Results indicated children in one school did possess an understanding ofPSOC in their school environment. The second school did not reveal an understanding of PSOC, rather they displayed a sense of belonging to their school in relation to enrolment, and exhibited antisocial behaviours. The findings of this exploratory study suggest ifPSOC can be identified and nurtured in young children, it is possible the beneficial effects ofPSOC such as reciprocal friendships, belonging to a group, and prosocial behaviours may develop and continue throughout an individual's lifespan. The financial, social and psychological implications for the Western Australian Department of Justice, health care system and society are discussed. Author: Ms. Debra K. Roberts Supervisors: Dr. L. Cohen, and Ms. D. Darlaston-Jones Submitted: October 2003 Psychological Sense of Community In Children iii Declaration I certify that this thesis does not incorporate, without acknowledgment, any material previously submitted for a degree or diploma in any institution ofhigher education and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it does not contain any material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the text Signature: Date: -----=J'--7'--·--'/'--0-·0_.3 ______ _ Psychological Sense of Community in Children iv Acknowledgments My de~pest thanks to Lynne Cohen for her steady guidance and patience in allowing me to e""-plore my own capabilities, whilst knowing she was there at every step. Without her enthusiasm, advice and encouragement I doubt that I would have taken on such a young group of individuals. My gratitude to Dawn Darlastan-Jones for her insight and passion in the area of Psychological Sense of Community. Many thanks to the principals, teachers, parents, and especially to the children for their assistance in the current exploratory study. To James I thankyou for being such an encouraging influence throughout the last four years and in the process becoming my dear friend. Pamela Henry, thankyou for all the laughs and wonderful advice throughout my :;tudies. Thankyou to all of my friends including the Hawke and Barber families, Toni and Rossi, you are all the shining light that glows in my heart. To my partner, Rory, thankyou for being there throughout everything you are my rock, and I love you with aU my heart. Thankyou to my whole family for your constant belief, support and sacrifice. To my children, Phillip, Tarryn, Samantha, Catherine, and Tia for sticking in there, my Nanna and my Dad for their unwavering support and childminding, and most importantly to my Mum, your belief in me is what kept me going, I love you. To all the special people around me, I am what I am today, because of all of you. Thankyou. Psychological Sense of Community in Children v Table of Contents Title Page .............................................................................. Abstract................................................................................. ii Declaration............................................................................. iii Acknowledgments....... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. IV Table of Contents.... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. v Introduction: A Review of Psychological Sense of Community... .. .. I Psychological Sense of Cf'lmmunity in School....... .. 9 Cognitive Development in Children... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... 16 Psychological Sense of Community as a Mediator for Antisocial Behaviours....................................................... 18 Objectives and Research Questions................................................ 22 Method: Research Design............................................................. 23 PartiCipants....... 23 Instruments.... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 24 Procedure.... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... 25 Data Analysis................................................................ 26 Findings and Interpretations.... .. 28 Membership.................................................................. 30 Belonging....................................................... 30 Shared Symbols................................................ 32 Safety............................................................ 32 Influence...................................................................... 34 Cooperation..................................................... 34 Integration and Fulfilment of Needs....................................... 36 Prosocial Behaviours.......................................... 37 Reciprocity...................................................... 38 Shared Emotional Connection...... 39 Friendships...................................................... 40 vi Antisocial Behaviours ................................... , . 43 Bullying............................................................ 43 Alienation.......................................................... 45 Fighting............... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 46 Summary and Future Directions................................................... 48 Limitations and Future Considerations............ .. ... 50 References.... .. 53 Table 1 Main Themes and Sub-themes Relating to PSOC in Children...... .. 29 Appendices Appendix A Interview Schedule.,.. 67 Appendix B Information Form (Principal)...................................... 68 Appendix C Principal Consent Form............................................. 69 Appendix D Information Form (Parents/Students)............................. 70 Appendix E Parents/Guardians Consent Form.................................. 71 '\ppendix F Students Information/Consent Form............................... 72 Appendix G Example of Question ordered Matrix ........... ,................. 73 Psychological Sense of Community in Children 1 Introduction Australian society is emerging as a unique collection of multicultural peoples, with common symbols and a shared history, two of the fundamental factors considered to be significant in building a psycholugical sense of community (PSOC) (Bishop & D'Rozario, 2002; Fisher & Sonn, 2002; McMillan & Chavis, 1986). These common symbol