Abstract

In this contribution a check-list to study friendship relations among 2-3 years old children is validated. Using the check-list data have been collected on a sample of 57 children in 3 time periods over a period of 6 months. The principal components analysis shows 4 dimensions called Interaction, Communication, Conflict, and Affect. The longitudinal change of these dimensions has been analyzed using a structural equation modelling approach. Among other results, the model shows that conflict in a previous time may evolve later either as a more intimate type of communication or as a continuing conflict. On the whole, results support the validity of the check-list.