Examination of the predictive effects of psychological resilience on peer relationships in preschool years

The aim of this study is to examine the predictive effects of psychological resilience on peer relationships among preschool children. The study group consisted of 211 (116 boys, 95 girls) children aged 5-6 years who attended preschool education during the 2022-2023 academic year in the central and Gerze districts of Sinop province, Turkey, and displayed normal developmental characteristics. A relational screening model was utilized in the quantitative research method. The data collection tools included a Personal Information Form, Child Ego Resilience Scale, Peer Victimization Scale, and Ladd and Profilet Child Behavior Scale. The research data were filled out by preschool teachers for each child. The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient, Spearman's correlation, and Simple Linear Regression Analysis techniques in the SPSS 26.0 statistical package program. According to the findings of the study, there was a significant negative relationship between children's levels of psychological resilience and exposure to peer victimization. Additionally, due to the non-normal distribution of the data related to the Peer Victimization Scale, an analysis regarding whether preschool children's levels of psychological resilience significantly predict their levels of exposure to peer victimization could not be conducted. It was determined that there was a significant negative relationship between children's levels of psychological resilience and their levels of showing aggression, antisocial behaviors, fearful-anxious behavior, and hyperactivity towards their peers, while there was a significant positive relationship between their levels of showing prosocial behaviors aimed at their peers. Furthermore, children's levels of psychological resilience significantly predicted their levels of showing aggression, prosocial behaviors aimed at their peers, antisocial behaviors towards their peers, fearful-anxious behavior towards their peers, and hyperactivity. There was a significant negative relationship between children's levels of psychological resilience and their levels of peer exclusion; however, due to the non-normal distribution of the data related to the peer exclusion subscale, an analysis regarding whether preschool children's levels of psychological resilience significantly predict their levels of peer exclusion could not be conducted.