Note
Includes bibliography.
Member of
Contributors
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Date Issued
2007
EDTF Date Created
2007
Description
Strong evidence links positive and negative features of adolescent friendship to
adjustment outcomes. However, the majority of these studies adopt a variable-oriented
approach, which can obscure differences between subgroups. This study used a
person-oriented approach to examine the patterns of friendship quality and their
association with adolescent adjustment outcomes. To this end , both members of 88
stable friendships reported on the quality of their relationship and target adolescents
reported on their adjustment (behavior problems, friendship competence, scholastic
competence, behavioral conduct, global self-worth, and school grades) at both Grade 6
and Grade 7. K-means cluster analyses identified three distinct patterns in friendship
quality at both Grade 6 and Grade 7: /ow positivity, high negativity, and high quality.
These groups exhibited structural stability. The high negativity group and the high
quality group both exhibited interindividual stability. Person-oriented analyses indicated
adolescents in the high quality group tended to have the best adjustment outcomes,
whereas adolescents in the high negativity group tended to have the worst adjustment
outcomes. Additionally, person-oriented analyses indicated that adolescents whose friendships increased in quality also tended to report increased friendship competence.
Adolescents whose friendships decreased in quality tended to report decreased global
self-worth . Supplemental variable-oriented analyses generally complemented the
findings of the person-oriented analyses. Overall, these findings suggest that many
adolescents have enduring friendships that are less than ideal. Moreover, different low
quality friendships have different associations with adjustment. These findings also
suggest that friendships may not have pervasive influence on adjustment outcomes.
Specifically, friendship quality appears to be strongly associated with behavior
problems, friendship competence, and self-esteem.
adjustment outcomes. However, the majority of these studies adopt a variable-oriented
approach, which can obscure differences between subgroups. This study used a
person-oriented approach to examine the patterns of friendship quality and their
association with adolescent adjustment outcomes. To this end , both members of 88
stable friendships reported on the quality of their relationship and target adolescents
reported on their adjustment (behavior problems, friendship competence, scholastic
competence, behavioral conduct, global self-worth, and school grades) at both Grade 6
and Grade 7. K-means cluster analyses identified three distinct patterns in friendship
quality at both Grade 6 and Grade 7: /ow positivity, high negativity, and high quality.
These groups exhibited structural stability. The high negativity group and the high
quality group both exhibited interindividual stability. Person-oriented analyses indicated
adolescents in the high quality group tended to have the best adjustment outcomes,
whereas adolescents in the high negativity group tended to have the worst adjustment
outcomes. Additionally, person-oriented analyses indicated that adolescents whose friendships increased in quality also tended to report increased friendship competence.
Adolescents whose friendships decreased in quality tended to report decreased global
self-worth . Supplemental variable-oriented analyses generally complemented the
findings of the person-oriented analyses. Overall, these findings suggest that many
adolescents have enduring friendships that are less than ideal. Moreover, different low
quality friendships have different associations with adjustment. These findings also
suggest that friendships may not have pervasive influence on adjustment outcomes.
Specifically, friendship quality appears to be strongly associated with behavior
problems, friendship competence, and self-esteem.
Language
Type
Form
Extent
163 p.
Subject (Topical)
Identifier
FA00000871
Additional Information
Includes bibliography.
Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2007.
FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Date Backup
2007
Date Created Backup
2007
Date Text
2007
Date Created (EDTF)
2007
Date Issued (EDTF)
2007
Extension
FAU
IID
FA00000871
Organizations
Attributed name: Florida Atlantic University
Attributed name: Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Attributed name: Department of Psychology
Person Preferred Name
Mooney, Karen Sara
Graduate College
Physical Description
application/pdf
163 p.
Title Plain
Patterns of Stable Early Adolescent Friendships and Their Associations with Individual Adjustment
Use and Reproduction
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Origin Information
2007
2007
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Location
Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Place
Boca Raton, Fla.
Sub Location
Digital Library
Title
Patterns of Stable Early Adolescent Friendships and Their Associations with Individual Adjustment
Other Title Info
Patterns of Stable Early Adolescent Friendships and Their Associations with Individual Adjustment