Other-Sex Friendship Involvement among Delinquent Adolescent Females

Abstract

Ninety-two delinquent and nondelinquent African American and Hispanic adolescent females (ages 13 to 17) from Los Angeles County were interviewed to determine the likelihood of male friendship selection. Using both qualitative and quantitative measures, the group’s demographic backgrounds, friendship selection, and quality were compared. Additionally, delinquent girls completed measures examining their self-perceptions and feelings of loneliness. Results indicate that delinquent girls are significantly more likely than nondelinquent girls to identify males as their closest friends. Age of friend, perceived advantages of the friendship, and involvement in delinquent and similar activities are related to male friendship selection. The results also reveal that delinquent girls with male friends do not differ from the female-friend groups on quantitative measures of friendship quality. Finally, among the delinquent population only, no differences between friendship groups exist for feelings of loneliness, competence, and self-worth.