Nothing Special   »   [go: up one dir, main page]

Self-consciousness, friendship quality, and adolescent internalizing problems

Br J Dev Psychol. 2009 Jun;27(Pt 2):249-67. doi: 10.1348/026151008x295623.

Abstract

The correlates between public and private self-consciousness and internalizing difficulties were examined during early adolescence. Friendship quality was assessed as a possible moderator of the relation between self-consciousness and maladjustment. One hundred and thirty-seven young adolescents (N = 87girls; M age = 13.98 years) reported on their self-consciousness, internalizing problems, and the quality of their best friendship. Results indicated stronger associations between private self-consciousness and internalizing correlates than between public self-consciousness and internalizing problems, suggesting that private self-consciousness may be a stronger risk factor during adolescence. Contrary to expectations, evidence revealed that positive friendship quality may exacerbate some difficulties associated with self-consciousness. Results pertaining to friendship quality add to the growing literature on the ways in which friendships can contribute to adjustment difficulties.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Female
  • Friends / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Personality Inventory
  • Regression Analysis
  • Self Concept*
  • Sex Factors
  • Social Behavior
  • Surveys and Questionnaires