Adolescent Friendship Networks and Activities: Relationships with Popularity and Aggresssion

Abstract

This study investigated peer status differences in the characteristics of adolescents' friends and friendship activities. Additionally, it examined how friendship characteristics and activities were related to aggression, and whether these relations were moderated by popularity and gender. 205 ninth-grade participants completed a peer nomination assessment of popularity, social preference, and overt and relational aggression. They also completed assessments of their best friends' characteristics (age, gender, and school) and their activities with those friends. Results indicated that the characteristics of adolescents' friends differ reliably based on their level of popularity and aggression. Friendship activities also varied according to status and gender. Furthermore, there were important associations between friendship activities and aggression that were moderated by status and gender. These findings indicate that friendships are an important context for studying popularity and aggression.