New study says good teen friendships crucial for future adult well-being

By Stephen Beech via SWNS

Teenage friendships lay "essential" foundations for well-being in later life, according to a new study.

And the timing of those friendships is "critical", say psychologists.

The American research team found that peer acceptance in young teenagers, and close friendships in older teenagers, predict low levels of social anxiety and high life satisfaction in young adults.

Study first author Emily Shah, of the University of Arkansas , said: “A teen’s perception of how broadly socially accepted they are by their peers in early adolescence is particularly influential in predicting adult well-being.

“Conversely, in late adolescence, the quality of their more intimate close friendships is more influential for predicting adult well-being.”

The researchers explained that our relationships with other people affect how we feel about ourselves, how we function in society, and our psychological well-being; that in turn affects our physical well-being.

They said that is especially true in our teenage years, when we start to rely on our peers’ support, and when puberty puts our bodies under strain.

The team said relationships can also help manage the stressful transitions teenagers deal with, from exams to new jobs to leaving home.

Study corresponding author Dr. David Szwedo, of James Madison University in Virginia, said: “Friendships during the teenage years provide youth with one of their first forays into intimate consensual relationships.

“Because friends may come and go, friendships are a context in which teens must develop skills to maintain and grow the friendship or risk its loss.

"These skills are likely to be subsequently helpful for forming future friendships and longer-term romantic relationships.”

The research team recruited 184 participants attending an American middle school.

They surveyed the students at ages 13-14, then again at ages 17-18, measuring the quality of their close friendships, their perceived social acceptance, and their likability as reported by their peers.

The researchers caught up with participants as adults aged 28-30 to ask them about their physical and mental health, job satisfaction, romantic insecurity, and experience of aggression.

The findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Developmental Psychology, showed that, overall, perceived social acceptance was the best predictor of adult well-being.

When contacted as adults, teenagers who thought their peers liked them reported lower levels of social anxiety and aggression, better physical health, professional and romantic satisfaction, and feeling more socially connected.

Likability as reported by teenagers’ peers did not predict any facet of adult well-being - possibly suggesting that a teenager’s own perception of their social success is particularly important.

However, when the researchers looked at the two stages of adolescence separately, adult well-being was best predicted by social acceptance for young teenagers and close friendships for older teenagers.

Close friendships predicted lower social anxiety and romantic insecurity and higher job satisfaction.

The difference between the two stages of adolescence also suggests that timing is critical.

The researchers said that while self-perception of success could stop younger teenagers developing social anxiety, and contribute to preventing stress-linked poorer health, lower levels of social acceptance in later teenage years didn’t predict future well-being.

Doctoral candidate Ms Shah said: “I want teens to know that they aren’t alone.

“It’s not easy being a teenager in this world, and I choose to believe that teens are doing the best that they can with the skills that they have.

"I hope that adults who interact with teenagers consider sharing that perspective, to hold space for empathy and compassion.”

Dr. Szwedo said: “It’s always helpful to keep in mind that studies such as this point to things that happen on average, and that things could be different for any individual child or teenager."

He added: “This study reinforces the importance of caregivers being aware of their children’s social lives by talking to their kids, talking to their teachers, and knowing who they are talking to online.

"It’s helpful for parents to not only ask about who their teens’ friends are but also how socially accepted they feel.”

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