University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Finding community: A multilevel analysis of school belonging and peer relationships in the neighborhood and school contexts

Duran, Naomi Sara

Content Files
DURAN-THESIS-2021.pdf

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/114009

Description

Title
Finding community: A multilevel analysis of school belonging and peer relationships in the neighborhood and school contexts
Author(s)
Duran, Naomi Sara
Issue Date
2021-12-06
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Lleras, Christy
Committee Member(s)
Tu, Kelly
Department of Study
Human Dvlpmt & Family Studies
Discipline
Human Dvlpmt & Family Studies
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Date of Ingest
2022-04-29T21:46:19Z
Keyword(s)
  • Neighborhood effects
  • School belonging
Abstract
Previous research has shown that coming from a more disadvantaged neighborhood has implications for educational outcomes and the quality and composition of peer networks, particularly during adolescence. This study examines the relationships among neighborhood disadvantage, students’ sense of belonging in middle school, and peer relationships in the classroom. Using a large, nationally representative sample of eighth grade students from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study – Kindergarten Cohort (1998-1999) and tract-level data from the 2000 U.S. Census, the multilevel analysis presented here shows that structural disadvantage at the neighborhood level is associated with lower school belonging, even after controlling for individual, family, and school characteristics. More importantly, peer acceptance in the classroom is positively associated with students’ sense of belonging, but this association varies by the neighborhood context. This suggests that the salience and influence of peer relationships in school may differ for youth depending on the quality of the neighborhoods they live in.
Graduation Semester
2021-12
Type of Resource
Thesis
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/114009
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2021 Naomi Duran

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