The purpose of this study was to assess the association between relational and overt forms of peer victimization and loneliness in 5-year-old children. In Study 1, for 126 children, a teacher rating measure was used to assess peer victimization, and loneliness scale was used to assess children's self-report of feeling of loneliness. For data analysis, the children were divided according to the scores on victimization into four groups: overt victims, overt and relational victims, relational victims, non-victims. Results indicated that relational victims and overt and relational victims were significantly lonelier than overt victims and non-victims. In Study 2, observations were made in classroom and playground during free play periods. Several aspects of their interactive behavior were coded using the categories of BOR. Main results were that relational victims tended to respond in many cases with such an unnatural manner as smile, even when they were aggressed.
Key words: young children, relational forms of victimization, overt forms of victimization, loneliness, BOR