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Chapter One
Male Adolescent Friendships:
Relationship Dynamics that
Predict Adult Adjustment
Thomas J. Dishion
Child and Family Center and Department of Psychology, University
of Oregon, USA
Sarah E. Nelson
Division on Addictions, Harvard Medical School, USA
INTRODUCTION
One of the most compelling questions in social developmental research is
what role peers play in social and emotional adaptation (Hartup, 1983; Piaget,
1954; Sullivan, 1953). The question can be divided into two, more specific
inquiries. First, to what extent does acceptance by peers influence social
development? Second, do friendship dynamics shape individual social development
trajectories?
With respect to the first inquiry, there is evidence that rejection by peers
uniquely undermines children's social development (e.g., Nelson & Dishion,
2004). We have found that peer rejection seems to structure peer networks,
with respect to the aggregation of deviant youth into peer groups (Dishion,
Patterson, Stoolmiller, & Skinner, 1991). In fact, ... read full excerpt from Friends, Lovers and Groups: Key Relationships in Adolescence ebook
