Changes in best friendship quality between adolescence and emerging adulthood: Considering the role of romantic involvement

Abstract

Changes in best friendship quality during adolescence coincide with the emergence of romantic relationships. This study aimed to examine the extent to which changes in friendship quality (intimacy, conflict, emotional support) between the ages of 16 and 22 varied according to four romantic involvement patterns (Late, Sporadic, Long-Term, Frequent) followed during this period. Gender was also included as a moderator. Participants ( n = 281; 61% girls) identified their romantic partners and reported on the quality of their relationship with their best friend each year. A series of multilevel growth curve models revealed that participants in the Late involvement group reported an increase in conflict with their best friend during this period; those in the Sporadic involvement and Frequent involvement groups reported increases in intimacy; and youths in the Long-Term involvement group reported no changes in friendship intimacy, conflict, or emotional support over time. Thus, among youths who reported changes in best friendship quality between adolescence and emerging adulthood, the observed changes appeared to vary according to the romantic involvement patterns followed during this period.

Quality over quantity: A transactional model of social withdrawal and friendship development in late adolescence

“…Fourth, we did not account for romantic relationship involvement. Late adolescence is an important period for the formation and maintenance of romantic relationships, and involvement in romantic relationships affects adolescent friendships (Camirand & Poulin, 2019 ; Zimmer‐Gembeck, 2002 ). Romantic partners begin replacing friends as the main source of intimacy and support, and youth begin spending more time with romantic partners in lieu of friends.…”

Friendship Conflict, Drinking to Cope, and Alcohol-Related Problems: A Longitudinal Actor-Partner Interdependence Model

“…One possible reason for the discrepant results is the difference in developmental stage (adolescence vs. emerging adulthood). The more transitory nature of friendships during emerging adulthood (Laursen & Bukowski, 1997) and the tendency in this developmental stage to shift focus from friendships to romantic relationships (McNamara Barry et al, 2009) might give rise to increased friendship conflict in the transition from adolescence to emerging adulthood (Camirand & Poulin, 2019) and to result in negative emotions that could trigger coping drinking. Thus, we focused our investigation on emerging adulthood.…”

Children's vocabulary and friendships: A comparative study between children with and without Specific Learning Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

“…Moreover, from early childhood to adolescence, friends play an important role in the development of language, vocabulary, and the socially acceptable use of speech (Durkin & Conti‐Ramsden, 2007; Maynard, 2005). Specifically, friendships provide the context in which children can develop their language and communication skills, express their needs, intentions, desires, and thoughts (Carpendale & Lewis, 2006; Davies, Lancaster, & Camarata, 2016), adapt their speech to their listeners' needs, seek information, narrate, discuss, disagree, and try to reconcile after a quarrel (Camirand & Poulin, 2019; Gallagher, 1999; Hay, Payne, & Chadwick, 2004).…”