A Meta‐Analysis of Friendship Qualities and Romantic Relationship Outcomes in Adolescence

Abstract

Romantic relationships are one of the most significant interpersonal ties in adolescence, thus understanding factors that may contribute to their formation and quality are important. The current meta‐analysis focuses on links between friendship quality and romantic relationship outcomes for adolescents up to 18 years. In a series of meta‐analyses (k = 28 studies, N's = 946–4,040), friendship qualities were not related to romantic involvement. However, we did find robust evidence of continuity between friendship qualities and romantic relationship qualities. Additionally, adolescents experienced more negative quality in their romantic relationships than in their friendships. These findings suggest that friendships have implications for adolescents’ romantic relationships, although more research is needed on specific quality associations, and the mediators of these relations.

Adolescents and sexual risk‐taking: The interplay of constraining relationship beliefs, healthy sex attitudes, and romantic attachment insecurity

“…Adolescents’ romantic relationships have been documented to be distinct and important contributors to adolescent development (Collins, 2003; Collins et al, 2009). Romantic attachment in adolescence evolves from earlier attachment security with caregivers and is further shaped by close relationship experiences in childhood and adolescence (Jones et al, 2018; Kochendorfer & Kerns, 2017, 2020; Pittman et al, 2011; Roisman et al, 2009). Adult Attachment Theory holds that individuals may have trouble forming intimacy in their romantic relationships due to worries or discomfort with such unions.…”

Peer rejection as a precursor of romantic dysfunction in adolescence: Can friendships protect?

“…Developmentally, peer relationships provide a central context for the progression of adolescents' romantic relationships (Furman, 1999) and meaningfully shape their romantic experiences in both negative and positive ways (Connolly, Furman, & Konarski, 2000; Van de Bongardt, Yu, Deković, & Meeus, 2015). Whereas repeated exposure to peer stressors, such as chronic rejection, is likely to amplify maladaptive romantic behaviors (Garthe, Sullivan, & McDaniel, 2016), access to positive peer relationships (e.g., high quality friendships) may serve a vital function in preparing adolescents for healthy intimate relationships (Kochendorfer & Kerns, 2019; Linder & Collins, 2005). Despite increased empirical interest in identifying peer relationship predictors of romantic outcomes, the scarcity of prospective longitudinal studies limits our understanding of developmental pathways from one relational context to the other.…”

“…Romantically, adolescents who successfully form and maintain strong close friendships also experience greater romantic satisfaction into adulthood (Allen et al, 2019), whereas those with less friend support exhibit greater dating aggression perpetration (Richards & Branch, 2012). High‐quality friendships are likely to provide a context for practicing supportive behaviors, such as listening and validating, that are then critical in the romantic domain (Ashley & Foshee, 2005; Kochendorfer & Kerns, 2019).…”

“…High‐quality friendships in high school may then compensate for rejection from the peer group during middle school or help socially vulnerable youth more effectively navigate a new, and oftentimes challenging, school environment. From this view, good friends may serve a “social skills enhancing” function for rejected youth, and interpersonal competencies (e.g., warmth, support) acquired in the friendship context are later applied in romantic contexts (Collins & Sroufe, 1999; Kochendorfer & Kerns, 2019). A question that follows is when and why some peer‐rejected youth are able to develop high‐quality friendships in high school.…”

Peer Rejection as a Precursor of Romantic Dysfunction in Adolescence: Can Friendships Protect?

“…Developmentally, peer relationships provide a central context for the progression of adolescents' romantic relationships (Furman, 1999) and meaningfully shape their romantic experiences in both negative and positive ways (Connolly, Furman, & Konarski, 2000;van de Bongardt, Yu, Deković, & Meeus, 2015). Whereas repeated exposure to peer stressors, such as chronic rejection, is likely to amplify maladaptive romantic behaviors (Garthe, Sullivan, & McDaniel, 2016), access to positive peer relationships (e.g., high quality friendships) may serve a vital function in preparing adolescents for healthy intimate relationships (Kochendorfer & Kerns, 2019;Linder & Collins, 2005). Despite increased empirical interest in identifying peer relationship predictors of romantic outcomes, the scarcity of prospective longitudinal studies limits our understanding of developmental pathways from one relational context to the other.…”