This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (7) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Bagwell, C. L. Articles by Muller, J. G. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Friendship quality and perceived relationship changes predict psychosocial adjustment in early adulthood

University of Richmond, cbagwell{at}richmond.edu

Sarah E. Bender

University of Richmond

Cristina L. Andreassi

University of Richmond

Tracy L. Kinoshita

University of Richmond

Staci A. Montarello

University of Richmond

Jason G. Muller

University of Richmond

The current study examined three hypotheses about experience in close friendships and psychosocial adjustment. At Time 1, 51 same-sex close friend dyads (n = 102 friends, 51% female, mean age = 20 years) completed self-report measures and participated in a brief observational assessment. The hypothesis that friendship quality would be associated with clinical symptomatology and self-esteem was supported and indicated that high levels of negative friendship features were positively associated with clinical symptoms, whereas positive features were most strongly associated with self-esteem. The second hypothesis that changes in the friendship would be associated with adjustment one year later (68% participation rate at Time 2) was supported only for interpersonal sensitivity such that perceived negative changes in the relationship predicted increased symptoms. Finally, friends’ perceptions of the features and quality of their relationship were somewhat consistent, yet as hypothesized, discordant perceptions predicted higher symptomatology and lower social support and satisfaction in the relationship. The results highlight the importance of considering both positive and negative aspects of friendship in early adulthood.

Key Words: adjustment • early adulthood • friendship • friendship quality • observational assessment

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Vol. 22, No. 2, 235-254 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/0265407505050945


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. M. Sebanc, M. D. Hernandez, and M. Alvarado Understanding, Connection, and Identification: Friendship Features of Bilingual Spanish-English Speaking Undergraduates Journal of Adolescent Research, March 1, 2009; 24(2): 194 - 217. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. A. Wise and A. R. King Family Environment as a Predictor of the Quality of College Students' Friendships Journal of Family Issues, June 1, 2008; 29(6): 828 - 848. [Abstract] [PDF]

				I. Seiffge-Krenke and W. Beyers Changes in close relationships during the transition to adulthood and their impact on adaptation: Longitudinal approaches: Introduction to the Special Section International Journal of Behavioral Development, November 1, 2007; 31(6): 537 - 538. [PDF]

				H. Larsen, S. J. T. Branje, I. van der Valk, and W. H. J. Meeus Friendship quality as a moderator between perception of interparental conflicts and maladjustment in adolescence International Journal of Behavioral Development, November 1, 2007; 31(6): 549 - 558. [Abstract] [PDF]