Poor Friendship Quality Research Articles

Race Differences and Depressive Symptoms Among Community-Dwelling Older Americans

Using data from the Wave 3 National Social Life, Health and Aging Project, this study examines cognition, stress and social support factors associated with depressive symptomatology among older White (n=2356) and Black/African Americans (n=473) living in the community. Bivariate analyses suggest that Whites were slightly older than Blacks [(M(SD) = 73 .24(8.18) and 72.52(8.69); 71)]; and had higher unmarried status (66.58% vs. 43.76%). In terms of cognitive functioning, Whites scored significantly higher than Blacks [Mean (SD) of MoCA Short Form were 10.44(3.06) and 7.75.0(3.33)]. There was race difference in depressive symptoms experienced (CESD Short Form: M(SD) = 20.99(4.01) for Whites; M(SD) = 21.35(4.33) for Blacks). In order to identify predictors of depression, multiple hierarchical regressions were performed. Results showed that race had significant independent effect and multiplicative effect with IADL impairment in explaining depression scores. To identify predicators for each racial group, parallel regression analyses were conducted and two models were significant. Findings show that unmarried status and IADL impairment were common predictors of depressive symptoms for the two groups, and the impact of both variables were stronger for Blacks (for unmarried status; b =-1.42 vs. -.52; for IADL impairment b = .23 vs. .13). For Whites, other unique predictors of depression were male gender, lower income, more ADL impairment, higher stress, less socialization and poor friendship quality. For Blacks, the only unique predictor of depressive symptoms was being younger age. The different correlates of depression for White and Black elders provide new insight into the design of race-sensitive interventions.

Stressful Life Events and Negative Emotions on Delinquency Among Korean Youth: An Empirical Test of General Strain Theory Assessing Longitudinal Mediation Analysis.

The current study examines the extent to which the argument of Agnew's general strain theory extends to a sample of South Korean youth to be able to explain the hypothesized direct and indirect/mediated effects of negative emotions derived from various negative life experiences of strain on delinquent behaviors. These experiences can include bullying victimization, parental abuse, poor friend quality, and poor physical functioning. Data for this study were compiled from the Korean Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS), which is a longitudinal study among 7,027 Korean households surveyed from 2006 through 2012. This study utilizes the longitudinal mediation models for temporal precedence. Results reveal that adolescents with poor-quality friends during the previous year are more likely to engage in later delinquency, and adolescents who experience bullying victimization, child abuse, and poor friendship quality during the previous year are more likely to later feel negative emotions. Furthermore, early feelings of negative emotions are significantly related to later delinquent behaviors and partially mediate the link between poor friend quality and later delinquent behaviors. Finally, bullying victimization, child abuse, and poor friend quality generated negative emotions, which led to a greater likelihood of delinquent behavior later.

Bullying by siblings and peers: Poly-setting victimization and the association with problem behaviours and depression.

In recent times, sibling bullying has emerged of interest to researchers concerned with the emotional and behavioural implications for victimization regardless of type and setting. This research attempts to extend current knowledge on both peer and sibling bullying and to determine the effects of poly-setting victimization. This paper is concerned with the following objectives: (1) determining the current rate of bullying and victimization among siblings and peers in a large sample of adolescents; (2) investigating the relationship between sibling and peer bullying and depression and behaviour; (3) highlighting the carry-over effects of bullying from one setting to another; and (4) determining the overall association of poly-setting victimization with depression and behaviour. Over 2,000 adolescents aged between 12 and 15years participated in an online survey. Results found lower rates of sibling bullying compared to international studies. Sibling victims of bullying were at increased risk of becoming peer victims. Poor friendship quality, disliking school, along with peer and sibling bullying involvement predicted scores in the clinical range for outcome measures of internalizing and externalizing problem. The current study has clinical and educational implications for working with all important stakeholders (i.e., schools, parents, siblings) to reduce bullying and improve mental health.

Cyberbullying in Relation to Empathy and Friendship Quality

Personal characteristics, friendship, culture, and flexibility of the use of technology are specific factors that contribute to cyberbullying. This study aims to explore the characteristics of cyberbullying and examine whether empathy and friendship qualities contribute to the tendency of cyberbullying among adolescents in Indonesia. The method used were qualitative and quantitative phases with the indigenous approach. Subjects were adolescents within the age range of 14 to 18 years. Qualitative data was collected by interviews and FGD from the 18 subjects. The results showed that cyberbullying is an intimidating behavior. The lack of empathy and poor friendship quality characterize the qualitative findings. Next, the quantitative data was obtained from 553 subjects by filling cyberbullying tendencies, empathy, and friendship quality scales. The results showed that empathy and friendship quality have a negative contribution on cyberbullying tendencies. Thus, empathy and friendship quality are factors that prevent the development of cyberbullying behavior in adolescents.

Why Is Maternal Depression Related to Adolescent Internalizing Problems? A 15-Year Population-Based Study

Exposure to maternal depression during early childhood is a well-documented risk factor for offspring's internalizing problems, but the long-term risk and the psychosocial mechanisms underlying the association remain largely unknown. We examined whether maternal depression during early childhood was associated with offspring internalizing problems in adolescence, and the extent to which negative parenting, peer victimization, and poor friendship quality during middle childhood mediated this association. We report on a population-based sample of children (n= 1,443) followed-up from 5 months to 15 years. We use yearly assessments of the exposure variable, that is, maternal depression (5 months to 5 years); the putative mediators, that is, peer victimization, friendship quality, and parenting practices (6-12 years); and assessment of the outcome variables at 15 years: self-reported major depressive (MD), generalized anxiety (GA), and social phobia (SP) symptoms. Structural equation modeling was used to test mediation by peer and family relationships. Exposure to maternal depression during early childhood was associated with higher levels of adolescent MD, GA, and SP. Peer victimization was the only significant mediator and explained 35.9% of the association with adolescent MD, 22.1% of that with GA, and 22.1% of that with SP. Exposure to maternal depression prior to age 5 years was associated with depression, anxiety, and social phobia extending to adolescence via its impact on peer victimization during middle childhood. Particular attention should be paid to victimization as one potential psychosocial factor via which maternal depression is associated with adolescent internalizing problems.

Adult ADHD, Emotion Dysregulation, and Functional Outcomes: Examining the Role of Emotion Regulation Strategies

Emotion dysregulation is associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and may contribute to the functional impairment experienced by people with this disorder. The present study addressed the following questions: 1) Does emotion dysregulation mediate the relationship between ADHD and key domains of functioning in adults with ADHD?, and, 2) If so, which emotion regulation strategies might further explain this relationship? 159 participants (59 ADHD, 100 non-ADHD) were recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Participants completed a variety of online self-report measures assessing ADHD symptoms, emotion regulation deficits and strategies, symptoms of depression and anxiety, relationship satisfaction, and overall functional impairment. Deficits in emotion regulation mediated the relationship between ADHD and internalizing symptoms, relationship satisfaction, and overall functional impairment. In exploratory analyses, avoidance mediated the relationship between ADHD and deficits in emotion regulation, but reappraisal and suppression did not. Serial mediation analyses indicated that the indirect effects of avoidance alone, apart from deficits in emotion regulation, partially explained the relationship between ADHD and nearly all outcomes. These results are consistent with past literature indicating that emotion regulation problems help explain the presence of depressive symptoms and romantic relationship impairment in adults with ADHD, and add that anxiety symptoms, poorer friendship quality, and greater functional impairment also may be influenced by emotion regulation problems. This study also identifies a specific emotion regulation strategy – avoidance – as a potential contributor to these outcomes. Future work should investigate contexts in which avoidant coping is most problematic so that interventions can be adapted accordingly.

Friends and Console-Gaming Aggression: The Role of Friendship Quality, Anger, and Revenge Planning

In the context of the actor–partner interdependence model, this study examined the influence of friendship quality on console-gaming aggression (i.e., verbal aggression, camping, trolling) and how such associations might be mediated by anger and revenge planning. These associations were examined among 51 pairs of friends in eighth grade, who regularly play online first-person shooters together. Results indicated that poor friendship quality was related positively to verbal aggression, trolling, and camping. In addition, these relationships were mediated by anger and revenge planning. These findings suggest that friendship quality, anger, and revenge planning are important in adolescents’ aggressive behaviors through first-person shooters.

The Role of Parental Psychological Control and Warmth in College Students’ Relational Aggression and Friendship Quality

This study investigated the role of perceived parental psychological control and warmth in college students’ friendship quality and use of relational aggression with peers. College students ( N = 237) completed self-report measures assessing their relational aggression, friendship quality, and parents’ perceived use of psychological control and warmth. As predicted, college students’ relational aggression partially mediated the relation between perceived parental psychological control and friendship quality. Moderation analyses indicated that perceived parental warmth exacerbated the negative effects of perceived parental psychological control on college students’ relational aggression and friendship quality. Thus, perceived parental psychological control is associated with students’ elevated relational aggression and poor friendship quality, especially when parents are viewed as warm as accepting.

Bullied by Siblings and Peers: The Role of Rejecting/Neglecting Parenting and Friendship Quality Among Korean Children

The primary aim of this study was to examine the direct and indirect links of rejecting/neglecting parenting, sibling victimization, and friendship quality with peer victimization using a convenience sample of 584 Korean children in Grades 3 to 6. In addition, we tested whether these associations differed between male and female students. Structural equation modeling was performed to analyze the data. The results revealed rejecting/neglecting parenting indirectly influenced peer victimization through sibling victimization for both males and females, although such effects were stronger for females than males. Sibling victimization had a direct effect on peer victimization across both sexes, although it indirectly influenced peer victimization through poor friendship quality only for males. Therefore, bullying prevention and intervention programs must involve parents to make them aware of the important role they play in this process and to improve their parenting styles and involvement in sibling conflicts. Furthermore, while the role of friendship quality needs to be highlighted to prevent peer victimization among males, future research continues to explore other peer variables that are related to decreased peer victimization for females.

Social Anxiety and Friendship Quality over Time

High social anxiety in adults is associated with self-report of impaired friendship quality, but not necessarily with impairment reported by friends. Further, prospective prediction of social anxiety and friendship quality over time has not been tested among adults. We therefore examined friendship quality and social anxiety prospectively in 126 young adults (67 primary participants and 59 friends, aged 17–22 years); the primary participants were screened to be extreme groups to increase power and relevance to clinical samples (i.e., they were recruited based on having very high or very low social interaction anxiety). The prospective relationships between friendship quality and social anxiety were then tested using an Actor–Partner Interdependence Model. Friendship quality prospectively predicted social anxiety over time within each individual in the friendship, such that higher friendship quality at Time 1 predicted lower social anxiety approximately 6 months later at Time 2. Social anxiety did not predict friendship quality. Although the results support the view that social anxiety and friendship quality have an important causal relationship, the results run counter to the assumption that high social anxiety causes poor friendship quality. Interventions to increase friendship quality merit further consideration.

Perceptions of Friendship Among Youth with Distressed Friends

This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between a friend's level of internalizing distress and the focal child's perceptions of friendship amongst 5th, 8th, and 11th grade youth. Participants completed the Youth Self-Report to assess internalizing distress and measures assessing perceptions of friendship quality, social support, and self-disclosure within reciprocal, same-sex friendship dyads. Results indicated that youth with friends experiencing low levels of internalizing distress reported poorer friendship quality and decreased levels of social support and self-disclosure within the friendship compared to youth with friends experiencing average or high internalizing distress. In a second set of analyses controlling for the focal child's own internalizing symptoms, gender, and age, friend's level of internalizing distress remained a significant, unique predictor of target participants' self-disclosure about their own problems within the friendship. The findings suggest that a mild degree of internalizing distress may enhance, rather than harm, friendships amongst youth.

The Impact of Aggression Subtypes and Friendship Quality on Child Symptoms of Depression

Although aggressive behavior and poor friendship quality have both been linked to child depressive symptoms (Card and Little 2006; Panak and Garber 1992; Oldenberg and Kerns 1997), little to no research has examined how the combined form and function subtypes of aggression (i.e., proactive-overt, reactive-overt, proactive-relational, and reactive-relational) are related to depressive symptoms. Further, it is unclear if these subtypes are associated with depressive symptoms when also accounting for the variance associated with friendship quality or whether friendship quality interacts with the aggression subtypes to impact child depressive symptoms. The purpose of the current study was to examine the link between aggression subtypes, friendship quality, and child depressive symptoms. The sample included 89 children (56 % male; 74 % Caucasian) who were between 9 and 12 years of age (M = 10.4 years, SD = 1.1) and their caregivers. Child reports of depressive symptoms and ratings of friendship quality with a best friend as well as caregiver reports of children’s aggressive behaviors were obtained during separate interviews. Correlation analyses indicated that reactive-overt, reactive-relational, and proactive-relational forms of aggression were positively associated while friendship quality was negatively associated with child depressive symptoms; however, regression analyses revealed that only reactive-overt aggression and friendship quality were uniquely associated with depressive symptoms. Friendship quality did not moderate the association between any subtype of aggression and depression. This study suggests the need to specifically target individuals who exhibit reactive-overt aggression for the prevention of depressive symptoms, regardless of their levels of friendship quality.

Friendships and Suicidality Among Mexican American Adolescent Girls and Boys

Friendship factors have been implicated in adolescent suicidality, but this relationship has not been verified across ethnicities. This study examined suicidality and friendship problems (i.e., social isolation, poor friendship quality, friends' school disconnection, and friends' delinquency) among Mexican American adolescents, an understudied, vulnerable group in terms of suicidality. Three hundred thirty-eight community adolescents, two-thirds of whom were educationally at-risk, participated in the study. Suicidal ideation and behavior rates were high, particularly among girls. Friends' school disconnectedness increased girls' odds for suicidal ideation by 13%. This association was even greater for girls in good academic standing. Friendship problems were not associated with suicidality in boys. Ethnic identity was a minor factor in suicidal ideation, and only for girls. These findings confirm, among Mexican American adolescents, the role of gender in the relationship between friendship and suicidality.

Social Withdrawal in Childhood

Socially withdrawn children frequently refrain from social activities in the presence of peers. The lack of social interaction in childhood may result from a variety of causes, including social fear and anxiety or a preference for solitude. From early childhood through to adolescence, socially withdrawn children are concurrently and predictively at risk for a wide range of negative adjustment outcomes, including socio-emotional difficulties (e.g., anxiety, low self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and internalizing problems), peer difficulties (e.g., rejection, victimization, poor friendship quality), and school difficulties (e.g., poor-quality teacher-child relationships, academic difficulties, school avoidance). The goals of the current review are to (a) provide some definitional, theoretical, and methodological clarity to the complex array of terms and constructs previously employed in the study of social withdrawal; (b) examine the predictors, correlates, and consequences of child and early-adolescent social withdrawal; and (c) present a developmental framework describing pathways to and from social withdrawal in childhood.

ADAPTIVE FUNCTIONING, PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND SERVICE USE AMONG 18-YEAR-OLD BOYS WITH DRUNKENNESS-RELATED ALCOHOL USE

To study the associations between drunkenness frequency and adaptive functioning, psychopathology and service use among 18-year-old Finnish boys in a nation-wide population-based study. Information about drunkenness frequency within the previous six months was collected from the Finnish boys born in 1981 (n = 2306) at the boys' obligatory military call-up in 1999. Self-report questionnaires were used to study demographic factors, adaptive functioning, risk behaviour, life events, and mental health service use. Psychopathology and adaptive functioning was assessed with the Young Adult Self-Report (YASR) questionnaire. Of the boys, 85% reported drunkenness within the previous 6 months. Most of the subjects were occasionally drunk: 39% reported drunkenness less than a month, and 35% less than once a week, while 10% reported being frequently drunk once a week or more often. Occasional drunkenness was associated with better adaptive functioning and psychosocial well-being in general. Refraining from drunkenness was associated with suicidal ideation and internalizing problems in the YASR scale. Frequent drunkenness associated with daily smoking, illicit drug use, and externalizing problems in the YASR scale, especially delinquent behaviour. In the multivariate analysis, number of friends, having a regular relationship and cigarette smoking had a linear association with frequency of drunkenness, while drunkenness-related alcohol use was less common among those with poor friendship quality. Among the participants, entering substance use treatment was rare (0.2%). Frequent drunkenness was found to be common among mental health service users. Among late-adolescent boys, occasional drunkenness is a normative alcohol use pattern and associates with social competence and good psychosocial functioning. Late-adolescent boys refraining from drunkenness in addition to those with frequent drunkenness may be in a need of mental health assessment. As entering substance use treatment is infrequent, establishing integrated services with multi-professional co-operation for late-adolescent males with frequent drunkenness is emphasized.