Friendships and networks in Chinese adolescents: Academic achievement and academic engagement

This longitudinal study examined the associations between Chinese adolescents' academic adjustment (i.e., academic achievement and academic engagement) and network affiliates and friends' academic adjustment. Seven hundred and twenty seventh grade students (Mean age = 13.24, 382 boys and 338 girls) participated in the study. They were followed into the eighth grade (Mean Age = 14.26, 343 boys and 312 girls). Adolescents' academic achievement was highly correlated with that of their friends and network affiliates at both grades. Adolescents' academic engagement was not, however, correlated with their friends and network affiliates' academic engagement. First year friends' academic achievement significantly predicted second year adolescents' academic achievement after controlling gender and first year adolescents' academic achievement.