The Role of Organized Activities in Facilitating Social Adaptation Across the Transition to College

Abstract

This prospective study examined the relations between organized activity involvement, loneliness, and friendship quality across the transition to college. In all, 85 adolescents (54 females and 31 males) completed measures during the summer before their first year of college (Time 1) and 10 months later (Time 2). More intense involvement in activities during the first year of college promoted better Time 2 friendship quality and lower ratings of loneliness and social dissatisfaction for those individuals who had poor Time 1 social adaptation. Emerging adults who got involved in organized activities for social reasons were more likely to report having a different best friend following the transition to college. Findings from this study suggest that organized activity involvement provides certain emerging adults with contexts for exploration and development of friendships.