Being nice and being mean: Friend characteristics foreshadow changes in perceptions of relationship negativity. (3rd February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Valdes, Olivia; Shawcross, Lauren; Laursen, Brett
• Other Names: Witherspoon Dawn guestEditor.; Halgunseth Linda guestEditor.; Wray‐Lake Laura guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of research on adolescence. Volume 32:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 314
• Page End: 324
• Publication Date: 2021-02-03
• Subjects: friendship -- negativity -- prosocial behavior -- relational aggression; Adolescence -- Periodicals; 155.5
• DOI: 10.1111/jora.12604
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1050-8392

Abstract

Abstract : This study examines the proposition that friend characteristics forecast changes in perceptions of relationship negativity. The participants (ages 9 to 11) were 240 pre‐ and young adolescents (114 boys, 126 girls) involved in 120 same‐sex best friendships that were stable across a period of 4 to 12 weeks. Each friend described perceptions of negativity in their relationship. Prosocial behavior and relational aggression were assessed via peer nominations. Dyadic analyses indicated that one friend's prosocial behavior and relational aggression uniquely forecast changes in the other friend's perception of negativity in the relationship. Greater initial levels of prosocial behavior anticipated decreases in perceived negativity, whereas greater initial levels of relational aggression forecast increases in perceived negativity.