Association between friendship quality and subjective wellbeing among adolescents: a systematic review

Abstract

Background Social integration with friends has an important role in shaping adolescents’ behavior and determining their wellbeing. Friendship features such as companionship, trust, closeness, intimacy, and conflicts all form the concept of friendship quality. The quality of friendships can either enhance or impede mental development during adolescence. Therefore, this systematic review was conducted to understand the association between friendship quality and adolescents’ mental wellbeing. Methods In November 2020 and later in August 2022, the search for evidence was conducted on five databases (Medline, Embase, ProQuest, Scopus, and PsycINFO). Only peer-reviewed quantitative studies published from January 2000 to August 2022 that investigated friendship quality as their exposure variable in relation to six constructs of subjective wellbeing (mood, loneliness, life satisfaction, happiness, self-esteem, and subjective wellbeing) were included. After screening for eligibility, two reviewers independently extracted the data based on population characteristics, study design, exposure and outcome variables, outcome measures used, and results. Risk of bias assessment was performed utilizing the NIH Quality Assessment Tool. Narrative evidence synthesis was performed based on the constructs of subjective wellbeing. Results Forty-three articles out of 21,585 records were included in the review. The relationship between friendship quality and depression has been investigated extensively in the literature and negative (beneficial) associations were found in eighteen studies out of twenty-three. Poor peer relationship was associated with loneliness in nine studies out of ten. All seven studies on life satisfaction and quality of peer connection found a positive association. In five studies, better peer relationship was found to be associated with happiness. A positive association between friendship quality and self-esteem was observed in five out of six applicable studies. Friendship quality was found to be positively associated with subjective well-being in all of five included studies. Conclusions Although majority of the included studies were cross-sectional in nature, this review demonstrates the paramount value of promoting healthy friendship to adolescents’ subjective wellbeing constructs. Interventions that aim to promote subjective wellbeing among adolescents should consider the development and maintenance of healthy friendships. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42020219312.

Measurement Invariance of the Multidimensional Jealousy Scale and Quality of Relationships Inventory (Friend)

“…Cognitive jealousy typically involves persistent thoughts, worries, or irrational suspicions regarding a partner's actions, intentions, or interactions with others [24]. Conflict is identified as a contributing factor to cognitive jealousy through several mechanisms, namely, trust issues (compromised trust can render individuals more susceptible to cognitive jealousy, evoking feelings of insecurity, fear of rejection, abandonment, or inadequacy) [54]; communication breakdown (lack of clear communication or misunderstandings during conflicts may lead individuals to misinterpret their partner's actions, thereby contributing to cognitive jealousy) [55]; resurfacing of past issues (previous experiences of betrayal or hurt may resurface during conflicts, intensifying cognitive jealousy as individuals project past experiences onto current situations) [1]; emotional turmoil (emotional distress during conflicts may result in heightened vigilance, suspicion, or irrational thoughts associated with cognitive jealousy) [56]; and perceived threats (conflict may trigger cognitive jealousy by making individuals hyper-aware of potential threats to their emotional connection, further fueling suspicions and concerns) [57].…”

Improving mental health care in depression: A call for action

“…In addition to the important interventions and supportive technologies described above, treatment should seamlessly incorporate all relevant life areas of the patient with the aim to not only achieve recovery from the current episode but also build up resilience to support better future overall health. Particularly in depression, patients have a higher risk of relapse if they have only a limited social network [51, 52]. Holistic treatment requires stigma-free contact with the patient’s employer to enable changes in the workplace; training in lifestyle skills (e.g., nutrition and exercise); close involvement of the patient’s social contacts (e.g., partner, family); and consideration of the patient’s cultural background (cultures differ across Europe and patients might be additionally shaped by migration) [53].…”

Adolescents’ Relational Resources and Health Risky Behaviours during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Online School Burnout and Psychological Well-Being as Mediators

“…Furthermore, in the PMD theory, social rejection, isolation, and alienation are some of the risk factors for engaging in risky behaviours (McKellar & Sillence, 2020). Satisfying and high-quality relationships with peers positively affect self-esteem, happiness, and life satisfaction and are considered protective factors against health-risky behaviours (Alsarrani et al, 2022). The specificity of social resources depletion during the COVID-19 pandemic also must be considered when analysing youth risky behaviours.…”