School affect and academic achievement in relation to expected self-, best friend, and peer-group reactions

Children's (Grades 4-8) expected self, best friend, male and female peer groups' reactions to academic performance and school affect were examined in relation to academic outcomes as measured by achievement test scores, school grades, and peer-based performance and affect judgments. The main hypothesis that expected self-reactions would show the strongest relationship to school outcomes was supported for both sexes. Some evidence of best friend influences was found for girls, with best friend reactions to positive affect in girl targets a positive predictor of achievement, and best friend reactions to positive affect in boy targets a negative predictor. Both boys' and girls' anticipated positive self-reactions to high academic performance in male (but not female) targets were strong predictors of children's own achievement scores and grades. Theoretical and practical implications of the research findings were discussed.