Adolescent Intimacy Revisited

Abstract

Two studies examined intimacy in adolescent friendships. In the first, 7th-, 9th-, and 11th-grade students completed a questionnaire assessing perceived friendship intimacy. Age and sex differences were identified in emotional closeness, self-disclosure, emphasis on individuality, control, and conformity. Across ages, emphasis on individuality increased, whereas control and conformity declined. There were no age differences in emotional closeness and self-disclosure. Females reported more emotional closeness and self-disclosure than males. In the second study, individual differences in friendship intimacy were examined in a sample of 9th-grade adolescents. A joint problem solving task identified interdependent and disengaged friends. Perceived intimacy among interdependent and disengaged friends was contrasted with that in a control group of subjects without friends. Adolescents with friends reported more closeness than those without friends. Interdependent friends reported greater levels of respect for individuality than disengaged friends. The results underscore the salience of intimacy for peer relationships during the adolescent years and suggest that intimacy may be an important construct distinguishing between different types of close friendships.

Romantic Contexts, Sexual Behavior, and Depressive Symptoms among Adolescent Males and Females

“…Studies on adolescent friendships and peer relationships have emphasized the individuals' ability to establish adaptive intimacy with their friends as a marker of adaptive development (Shulman et al 1997). In contexts of true intimacy, friends do not only feel close to each other but are also capable of balancing self and other needs.…”

“…Cronbach alpha was .93. Correlation between this measure and the Shulman et al (1997) measure of intimacy is r=.54.…”

Developmental Trajectories of Perceived Friendship Intimacy, Constructive Problem Solving, and Depression from Early to Late Adolescence

“…Perceived Balanced Relatedness The Balanced Relatedness scale (Shulman et al 1997b) was used to measure perceived balanced relatedness in best friendships. This questionnaire contained 7 items: "My best friend respects my decisions", "My best friend thinks it is right to sometimes disagree with him/her", "My best friend respects my ideas", "My best friend is not hurt when I have other friends or business", "My best friend allows me to think over my ideas", "My best friend considers my opinion", and "My best friend encourages my suggestions".…”

“…Intimacy may be critical in differentiating friendship types in adolescence. Adolescents who perceive less intimate friendships may develop less constructive ways to resolve conflicts in friendships (e.g., Shulman et al 1997a) and may be at risk for developing depression (e.g., Shulman and Laursen 2002). However, more research is needed to examine different developmental trajectories of perceptions of friendship intimacy, as well as differences between friendship types in developmental trajectories of conflict resolution and depression.…”

Adolescent Daughters’ Romantic Competence: The Role of Divorce, Quality of Parenting, and Maternal Romantic History

“…These relationships also are likely to carry with them expressions of strong feelings and preferences, making them emotionally charged. To achieve true intimacy, one must be oriented not only to value and seek closeness, but also to be sensitive to the needs and feeling of both self and others Shulman et al 1997). In line with social cognitive models, involvement in a deep and intimate relationship signifies an increasing ability to think through interpersonal situations in a way that recognizes consequences of one's own actions and those of others, and considers the needs and outcomes of both parties involved (Selman et al 1986).…”