Adolescent Peer Relations and Socioemotional Development in Latin America: Translating International Theory into Local Research

Abstract

Peer relations constitute a main developmental context for adolescents. Peers offer an instance for identity definition and set the norms of acceptable and valued characteristics, behaviors, and attitudes, representing a societal model that allows and restrains avenues for adolescents' socioemotional development. The present article departs from these considerations to review research on adolescents' peer relations in Latin America from a socioemotional perspective. First, approaches to adolescence are discussed, with a main focus on attachment and identity theories, based on a bioecological framework. Then, a review of research in Latin America on friendships, school climate, and intergroup relations is presented. The discussion addresses the tension between theories and evidence generated in developed societies and highlights the particularities of Latin American youth, stressing the need for collecting local data.

The Interplay of Adolescents’ Aggression and Victimization with Friendship and Antipathy Networks within an Educational Prosocial Intervention

“…Therefore, classrooms are stable environments in which peer relations unfold. Despite this particularity, research on adolescent peer relations with Chilean samples has shown similar patterns to American and European populations (Berger and Rodkin 2012; Dijkstra et al 2011), and the study on peer relations and adolescent development in Latin America follows similar trends to those in western societies (Berger et al 2016).…”

Impact of maternal depression trajectories on offspring socioemotional competences at age 11: 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort

“…The majority of the studies regarding the repercussion of maternal depression trajectories on offspring's behavioural or emotional problems were focused on early to late childhood and their mainly measured outcomes were psychopathologies symptoms. There is a lack of information concerning the consequences of exposure to maternal depression until adolescence, especially focusing on socioemotional competences (Sanger et al., 2015) Also, there is scarce evidence from low- and middle-income countries, since almost all of the studies used data from high-income countries, such as USA, Canada and France, which may present relevant differences in social and cultural contexts (Berger et al., 2016, Howard et al., 2014). Therefore, the current study, conducted in a middle-income country, aimed to evaluate the impact of maternal depression trajectories on offspring's three socioemotional competences (peer relationship problems, prosocial behaviour and locus of control) at age 11 accounting for numerous potential confounders.…”

Attachment and emotional regulation in adolescents with depression

“…Adolescents with secure attachment to peers were characterized by capacity to form close relationships with peers while maintaining autonomy 31 . The formation of adequate relationships to peers is important for self-confidence, however, when it is violated, the road to adolescent depression is open 32 . The good relationships with peers are necessary for the development of healthy personality in adolescence and can also decrease the negative influence of inadequate attachment to parents on personality development 33 .…”