Best Friend Influence Over Adolescent Problem Behaviors: Socialized by the Satisfied

The present study was designed to examine best friend influence over alcohol intoxication and truancy as a function of relative perceptions of friendship satisfaction. The participants were 700 adolescents (306 boys, 394 girls) who were involved in same-sex best friendships that were stable from one academic year to the next. Participants completed self-report measures of alcohol intoxication frequency and truancy at 1-year intervals. Each member of each friendship dyad also rated his or her satisfaction with the relationship. At the outset, participants were in secondary school (approximately 13–14 years old) or high school (approximately 16–17 years old). More satisfied friends had greater influence than less satisfied friends over changes in intoxication frequency and truancy. Problem behaviors of less satisfied friends increased over time if the more satisfied friend reported relatively higher, but not relatively lower, initial levels of drinking or truancy. The results support the hypothesis that adolescent friends are not similarly influential. The power to socialize, for better and for worse, rests with the partner who has a more positive perception of the relationship.     

Do we talk to different people in different ways?: types and sources of social support and support-gaining strategies

The present paper examined whether people employ different support-gaining strategies toward various sources of support. In Study 1, 231 Taiwanese undergraduates were asked the frequency of each strategy they used for three support types: tangible, psychological, and informational, from four support sources: parents, professors, same-sex close friends, and same-sex acquaintances. In Study 2, 363 undergraduates were asked to think of an opposite-sex friend: an acquaintance, a close friend, or romantic partner, and write the frequency of each strategy they used. Results of ANOVA indicated that main effects of source and strategy and a three-way interaction of source by strategy by gender were significant. In Study 1, the students used various strategies most frequently toward parents and same-sex close friends, and least frequently to professors, and in Study 2, more frequently to close friends and romantic partners than to acquaintances. The strategy most often used was reasoning, followed by entreaty, roundabout request, exploitation, promise of reward, exhortation, and threat, in the descending order. No effect was found for the support type factor.     

Adolescents' anxiety in dating situations: the potential role of friends and romantic partners.

This study examined adolescents' interpersonal functioning, including the qualities of their closest friendships and romantic relationships, as predictors of dating/heterosocial anxiety. An ethnically diverse sample of 781 adolescents (57% girls; ages 15-19 years) completed measures that assessed the number and type of close friends, the presence of a romantic relationship, the qualities of their best same-sex friendship and their romantic relationship (using the Network of Relationships Inventory-Revised), and levels of dating or heterosocial anxiety (using the Dating Anxiety Scale for Adolescents). Most adolescents were romantically involved, and girls were more likely to have a romantic partner than boys. Adolescents with fewer other-sex friends and those with less positive and more negative interactions with their best friends reported high levels of dating anxiety. In addition, adolescents who reported never having a romantic relationship, who did not have a current romantic partner, and who had less positive and more negative interactions with their romantic partners reported higher levels of dating anxiety. Variations were noted for different aspects of dating anxiety. The findings indicate that multiple aspects of adolescents' social relations may be independently and uniquely related to feelings of distress in dating or heterosocial situations. Adolescents' social relationships have the potential to support or interfere with the development of successful romantic relationships.     

Social, emotional, and behavioral functioning of children with NF1

Children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) can have varying degrees of cognitive impairment, and are at risk for social, emotional, and behavioral dysfunction. We undertook an evaluation of social, emotional, and behavioral functioning of youth with NF1 and peers from multiple perspectives. We hypothesized that children with NF1 would have more psychosocial difficulties, which would be positively associated with neurological involvement. We compared 58 children with NF1, ages 7-15, with comparison classroom peers, classmates who were same race/gender and closest date of birth. Peer relationships, emotional well-being, and behavior were evaluated from multiple perspectives in multiple settings. Results showed that teachers perceived children with NF1 as more prosocial (i.e., polite, helpful to others). Teachers and peers viewed children with NF1 as displaying less leadership behavior and as more socially sensitive-isolated (i.e., often left out, trouble making friends). Children with NF1 had fewer friendships and were less well liked by peers. Mothers and fathers reported more problems with social functioning among children with NF1. Few group differences in emotional well-being and behavior were identified according to child and father report. However, mothers perceived children with NF1 to have more emotional problems relative to comparison peers, predominantly among older children. Neurological involvement was significantly related to psychosocial problems. We conclude that children with NF1 are frequently socially isolated and rejected by peers; and that greater neurological involvement is associated with more emotional problems. Central nervous system involvement appears to play a key role in identifying children at risk for problems with friendships, social acceptance, and emotional functioning (i.e., depression).     

Moderators of peer contagion: a longitudinal examination of depression socialization between adolescents and their best friends.

This longitudinal study examined peer contagion of depressive symptoms over an 18-month interval within a sample of 100 11th-grade adolescents. Three types of peer contagion moderators were examined, including characteristics of adolescents (social anxiety, global self-worth), friends (level of friends' peer-perceived popularity), and the relationship between them (friendship quality). Measures were collected using adolescents' and their friends' reports of depressive symptoms, adolescents' reports of social anxiety, global self-worth, friendship quality, and a sociometric assessment of peer-perceived popularity. Results indicated that among girls higher levels of social anxiety were associated with adolescents' greater susceptibility to peer contagion. Among boys, higher levels of friends' peer perceived popularity and lower levels of positive friendship quality each were associated with greater susceptibility to depressive symptom contagion.     

人格与网络友谊的关系:社会支持和互联网社交的中介作用

目的:探讨人格对大学生网络友谊的影响及其心理机制。方法:采用问卷调查法对315名在校大学生进行研究,数据分析采用卡方检验、相关分析和结构方程模型。结果:(1)大部分大学生网民都在网络交往中结识了网友(χ~2=7.720,P0.01),并认为网络交友不会影响其现实生活中的人际关系(χ~2=285.742,P0.001);(2)神经质、外倾性和开放性与网络友谊相关显著,社会支持和互联网社交与网络友谊显著正相关;(3)外倾性对网络友谊具有显著的正向预测作用(β=0.12,P0.05),外倾性还通过主观支持(β=0.11,P0.05)、客观支持(β=0.16,P0.01)、支持利用(β=0.15,P0.01)和互联网社交(β=0.15,P0.01)间接地正向预测网络友谊。结论:人格对大学生网络友谊的形成具有重要影响,社会支持和互联网社交在两者之间起中介作用。     

Loneliness in Early Adolescence: Friendship Quantity,Friendship Quality,and Dyadic Processes

Friendship quantity and quality are related to adolescent loneliness, but the exact link between these constructs is not well understood. The present study aimed to examine whether adolescents’ perception of friendship quantity and quality, and the perceptions of their peers, were related to loneliness. We examined the relation between loneliness and the number of unilateral and reciprocal friendships and compared the views of best friendship quality. Overall, 1,172 Dutch adolescents (49.1% male, M age = 12.81, SD = .43) nominated their friends and rated their friendship quality. Friendship quantity was measured using sociometrics to distinguish reciprocated and unilateral (i.e., one-sided) friendships. The analyses indicated that loneliness was related to fewer reciprocal and unilateral-received friendships (i.e., the adolescent received a friendship nomination but did not reciprocate that nomination) and a lower quality of best friendship. Actor–partner interdependence analyses revealed that adolescents’ loneliness was related to a less positive evaluation of their friendship, as reported by adolescents themselves (i.e., a significant actor effect) but not by their friends (i.e., nonsignificant partner effect). These findings (a) indicate that loneliness is negatively related to the number of friends adolescents have, as perceived by themselves and their peers and (b) suggest that, once a friendship is established, lonely adolescents may interpret the friendship quality less positively compared to their friends. Implications of these findings for our current understanding of adolescent loneliness are discussed, and suggestions for future research are outlined.     

社会支持在青少年课外锻炼性别差异中的作用

目的研究社会支持等因素对青少年课外锻炼的影响,促进中学生课外锻炼习惯与健康生活方式的养成。方法采用锻炼社会支持量表、跨理论模型五锻炼阶段量表及自编人口统计学问卷对分层整群选取的706名中学生,通过问卷调查法收集数据资料。结果青少年课外锻炼所处阶段、对课外锻炼的态度、所拥有的积极锻炼伙伴数目等方面存在显著性别差异（P均〈0.01）;社会支持水平的高低、课外锻炼的态度等与青少年目前课外锻炼所处阶段呈显著正相关（P均〈0.01）。结论家人或朋友经常陪伴锻炼、提醒鼓励锻炼或邀请去健身场所锻炼等都会促进青少年锻炼活动的增加及规律锻炼习惯的养成。     

Friendship Experiences and Anxiety Among Children: A Genetically Informed Study

This study examined (a) whether, in line with a gene-environment correlation (rGE), a genetic disposition for anxiety puts children at risk of having anxious friends or having no reciprocal friends; (b) to what extent these friendship experiences are related to anxiety symptoms, when controlling for sex and genetic disposition for this trait; and (c) the additive and interactive predictive links of the reciprocal best friend's anxiety symptoms and of friendship quality with children's anxiety symptoms. Using a genetically informed design based on 521 monozygotic and ic twins (264 girls; 87% of European descent) assessed in Grade 4 (M age = 10.04 years, SD = .26), anxiety symptoms and perceived friendship quality were measured with self-report questionnaires. Results indicated that, in line with rGE, children with a strong genetic disposition for anxiety were more likely to have anxious friends than nonanxious friends. Moreover, controlling for their genetic risk for anxiety, children with anxious friends showed higher levels of anxiety symptoms than children with nonanxious friends but did not differ from those without reciprocal friends. Additional analyses suggested a possible contagion of anxiety symptoms between reciprocal best friends when perceived negative features of friendship were high. These results underline the importance of teaching strategies such as problem solving that enhance friendship quality to limit the potential social contagion of anxiety symptoms.     

Brief report: friendships of adolescents with and without diabetes

BACKGROUND: Friendships of adolescents with chronic illness have been rarely studied. OBJECTIVE: To compare the friendships of boys and girls with diabetes with those between healthy adolescents. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-eight adolescents were interviewed at summer camps. Participants indicated their number of close friends and rated friendships for support and conflict. Participants described aspects of their same-sex and other-sex friendships that they liked and disliked. RESULTS: Adolescents with diabetes have friendships that are similar to those between healthy adolescents, with a few exceptions. CONCLUSIONS: Emotional support may be especially valued by girls with diabetes, whereas differences among friends may be less valued among adolescents with diabetes.     

Social Cognitive Correlates of Leisure Time Physical Activity Among Latinos

Despite the well-documented benefits of leisure time physical activity, Latinos are reported to be highest among all ethnic groups in leisure time inactivity. The present study examined the relationship between leisure time physical activity and exercise self-efficacy, exercise barriers self-efficacy, exercise social support, and perceived importance of physical activity. Data were obtained from 153 Latinos (n = 86 female, n = 67 male). Comparisons were made between Latinos with high and low levels of leisure time physical activity and between men and women. Results revealed that Latinos high in leisure time physical activity had significantly greater exercise and barriers self-efficacy, received more social support from friends to exercise, and placed greater importance on physical activity outcomes than did Latinos low in leisure time physical activity. No significant differences were revealed for social support from family, nor between men and women on the psychosocial variables. Physical activity interventions targeting sources of self-efficacy, increasing social support, and emphasizing the importance of regular physical activity should be helpful in increasing leisure time physical activity of Latinos. Future research should examine the influence of environmental and cultural variables on the leisure time physical activity of Latinos and how they interact with psychosocial factors.     

Perceptions of self and relationship in problem solving situations: the influence of the differences for the tasks

The purpose of this study was to examine how the differences of task influenced the perceptions of self and their relationship in problem solving situation, and to study the relation between self and their relationship. The participants were 64 college students. Two same-sex students made a pair and were engaged to solve the task together. After pairs solved the task, they completed the questionnaire. Pairs were randomly divided into one of two experimental conditions. In the "ability task" condition, pairs solved the logical task, and pairs of the "interpersonal relations task" condition solved the task concerning interpersonal relations. The results indicated that the self and their relationship were perceived differently between the two conditions of tasks.     

Body size stigmatization: an examination of attitudes of african american preschool-age children attending head start

OBJECTIVE: To assess body size stigmatization attitudes (BSSA), their effect on friendship selection, and controllability beliefs in a sample of African American preschool-age children of low socioeconomic status. METHODS: Participants included 76 children attending Head Start. Children completed an adjective task, a friendship selection task, and a controllability task. RESULTS: On the adjective task, the Overweight figure received significantly more negative mean ratings than the Underweight figure; however, there were no significant differences between the mean ratings for the Overweight and Average figures or the Average and Underweight figures. On the friendship selection task, children preferred the Average or Underweight figures as playmates and friends. On the controllability task, greater control was associated with the Overweight figure than the Underweight figure. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that BSSA may be present in a sample of African American preschool-age children of low socioeconomic status. These attitudes may influence friendship selection and controllability beliefs.     

Associations of osseous abnormalities in Neurofibromatosis 1

The characteristic sites of Neurofibromatosis 1-associated osseous manifestations are the long bones (usually the tibia and fibula), vertebrae and sphenoid wing. Although these focal bony lesions may cause profound clinical consequences, a minority of people with NF1 are affected. However, most people with NF1 are shorter than expected for their age, gender and family. The pathogenesis of NF1 focal osteopathy and its relationship, if any, to short stature are unknown. We examined associations between the occurrence of various osseous lesions in 3377 NF1 probands from the Children's Tumor Foundation NF International Database. Using logistic regression analysis among 260 NF1 probands who had undergone radiological examination of both the spine and skull, we found associations between the occurrence of sphenoid wing and long bone osteopathy (conditional odds ratio [OR] = 6.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.7-22.3; P = 0.006) and between sphenoid wing and vertebral osteopathy (OR = 16.9; 95% CI = 5.3-53.3; P < 0.001) after adjusting for age and gender. Similar findings were observed from all 3377 NF1 probands using a multivariate probit regression model. In a separate analysis, we found lower age- and gender-standardized height in patients who had characteristic vertebral or sphenoid wing lesions than in people who did not (P < 0.05). We found no relationship between height and tibial osteopathy. We conclude that some people with NF1 are more likely to develop osseous manifestations than others and speculate that there may be a common pathogenetic mechanism responsible for the development of osseous abnormalities and that of the vertebrae and long bones.     

Ontogeny of amicable social behavior in the mouse: Gender differences and ongoing isolation outcomes

The behavioral repertoire of male and female outbred CD-1 mice was characterized during development (postnatal Days 23–47). To assess the effects of the rearing condition, half of the subjects were individually housed (IC) at weaning (Day 21), while the remaining mice were housed in pairs (PC) of same-sex siblings. The occurrence of 22 behavioral items was scored during nine social encounters, 3 days apart, between pairs of unfamiliar same-sex and same-condition animals. Individually housed mice were much more involved than paired subjects in solitary play and social interactions (affilitive, investigative, and soliciting behaviors), while less interested in nonsocial behaviors (exploration, and escape-oriented or maintenance activities). An over-days increment for elements of social behavior was evident, with a peak of affiliative behavior at 23–32 days of age. For gender differences, in contrast with rat data, a marked female primacy in both social and playful behaviors was found. Overall, these findings clearly indicate that the behavioral repertoire of developing mice during paired encounters is strongly affected by both the sex of the subjects and the housing condition they are experiencing. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons Inc.     

Peer influence on children's physical activity: an experience sampling study

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to examine the associations between social context (the presence of peers, friends, and family members) and physical activity intensity for overweight and lean girls and boys. METHODS: Participants for this study included 10 boys (M = 13.4 years; SD = .8) and 10 girls (M = 13.8 years; SD =. 8). Twelve participants were between the 15th and the 85th BMI percentile (eight girls, four boys) and eight youth were at or above the 85th BMI percentile (six boys, two girls). Participants reported on their activity intensity and whether the activity was solitary or with others for seven consecutive days. RESULTS: Children were more likely to report more intense physical activity when in the company of peers or close friends. Overweight children reported greater physical activity when in the presence of peers than did lean children; however, overweight children also reported more time spent alone. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, findings highlight the importance of considering peer relationships in studies of physical activity and childhood "obesity".     

Effects of body-satisfaction on social anxiety and self-disclosing behavior in adolescence

The present study investigated effects of body-satisfaction on social anxiety and self-disclosing behavior, focusing on the relationship between body and self in adolescence. Thirty-six male and thirty-six female undergraduates talked with an interviewer of the same-sex or opposite-sex. Their interactions were video-taped. The following results were obtained: (1) body-satisfaction level had an effect on social anxiety and on the style of self-disclosing behavior, but not on the contents of disclosure, (2) the high body-satisfaction group was shy and passive with an interviewer of the opposite-sex, and this seemed to be common among late adolescents, (3) the low body-satisfaction group was anxious, shy, tense, and passive with an interviewer of the same-sex, (4) the low body-satisfaction group was both tense and active with an interviewer of the opposite-sex (these results suggest that a relationship exists between body-satisfaction and gender identity confusion), (5) body-satisfaction level had no effect on interpersonal distance.     

Social support and personal models of diabetes as predictors of self-care and well-being: a longitudinal study of adolescents with diabetes

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether peer support and illness representation mediate the link between family support, self-management and well-being. METHOD: Fifty-two adolescents (12-18 years old) with Type I diabetes were recruited and followed over 6 months, completing assessments of self-management, well-being, and social support. RESULTS: Perceived impact of diabetes and supportive family and friends were prospectively predictive of participants' well-being measures. Although support from family and friends was predictive of better dietary self-care, this relationship was mediated by personal model beliefs. In particular, beliefs about the effectiveness of the diabetes treatment regimen to control diabetes was predictive of better dietary self-care. CONCLUSIONS: Both friends and family are important to support adolescents as they live with and manage their diabetes. Personal models of diabetes are important determinants of both dietary self-care and well-being. In addition, personal models may serve to mediate the relationship between social support and dietary behavior.     

Low physical activity levels and high levels of sedentary behaviour are characteristic of rural Irish primary school children

There is increasing public health concern that levels of physical activity in children are extremely low. This study aimed to describe objectively levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour during the waking hours in a sample of 4-5 year old (median 5.4 years range 4.3, 6.0) rural Irish children (n=41) and to test for gender differences in patterns of physical activity and sedentary behaviour. There were significant gender differences in physical activity (Boys (median) 834 accelerometer counts per minute (cpm), girls (median) 628cpm; p = 0.0015), sedentary behaviour (Boys 74% of waking time, girls 81% of waking time, p=0.0011) and moderate-vigorous physical activity (Boys 4% of waking time, girls 2% of waking time; p=0.0175). This study that suggests young rural Irish children lead sedentary lifestyles.