Dating, sexuality, and adolescent friendship networks

Abstract

Abstract This chapter examines the interplay between adolescent friendships, romantic relationships, sexuality, and health behaviors. The longitudinal social network and romantic partner data from the PROSPER (Promoting School-community-university Partnerships to Enhance Resilience) Peers project permit the exploration of long-standing research questions related to adolescent social and sexual development. How do friendships influence the formation of romantic and sexual relationships and vice versa? What consequences do romantic relationships have for adolescent health, including substance use and sexual health? Do the friendship networks of sexual minority youth differ from their heterosexual peers? These questions are explored with both previously published and original PROSPER research. For the original research, sexual orientation survey questions were asked of participants in young adulthood to retrospectively identify sexual minority adolescents. It was found that sexual minority boys and girls have significantly fewer school-based friendships and overall lower levels of social integration compared with their heterosexual peers. These and previously published findings offer insights for improving adolescents’ social development, school integration, and health outcomes.