Judgment Biases and Characteristics of Friendships of Mexican American and Anglo-American Girls and Boys

Abstract

Gender and ethnic patterns in ratings and assessments of four dimensions of friendship qualities were investigated (emotional attachment, support, shared activities, and conflicts) with 122 Anglo-American and Mexican American early adolescents (63 girls; mean age 10.36 years), as were links between ratings and assessments. Participants named a favorite friend, rated their perceptions of the hypothetical behaviors of that friend or an unfamiliar peer in scenarios that varied by actor's intention and outcome of the actor's behavior on the participant, and completed two measures designed to assess friendship quality. Girls, but not boys, rated friends' behaviors as more positive than the similar behaviors of unfamiliar peers and reported higher levels of attachment and support in their friendships. Similar rating patterns were found for Anglo-American and Mexican American participants. In addition, ratings of friends' behaviors in scenarios that presented neutral intentions were correlated with the level of emotional attachment reported in the friendship.According to social cognitive perspectives (Bandura, 1986), thoughts about others can be influenced by relationships with them. Dodge and Price (1994) extended that idea to propose that processing of information about other people goes through a series of stages. Those stages include encoding relevant stimulus cues; interpreting the cues and storage into long-term memory; accessing various behavioral responses to the interpreted cues; evaluating the responses that have been accessed; and finally, enacting the behavioral response chosen. Accurate processing at all five stages is necessary for socially competent behavior. Because sociocultural theory posits that there are cultural differences in the ways in which children are socialized to inter-405

Friendships and Suicidality Among Mexican American Adolescent Girls and Boys

“…This result is consistent with findings on the greater importance of friendship to adolescent girls, compared to adolescent boys (e.g., Bradley, Flannagan, & Fuhrman, 2001; Colarossi, 2001; DiFilippo & Overholser, 2000; Kobus & Reyes, 2000; Prinstein et al, 2000; Way et al, 2001). Additionally, the impact of friendship problems on suicidality has been found to be greater in girls than in boys (Bearman & Moody, 2004; Watt & Sharp, 2002).…”

“…For example, in two recent studies, urban Latina/o youth (age 15 on average) from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds rated their friendships as more affectionate, reliable, and intimate, and their friendship quality higher than similar-background African-American and Asian-American adolescents (Way et al, 2001; Way & Greene, 2006). However, in another study, acculturated working and middle class Mexican-American pre-teens (age 10 on average) did not differ from European-American peers with regard to various friendship characteristics (perceived friendship support, common activities, emotional attachment, and conflict) (Bradley et al, 2001). At the same time, the latter study noted greater gender difference between girls' and boys' emotional attachment among Mexican-American adolescents, compared to European-American youth (girls in both groups reporting more emotional attachment).…”

“…Peer relationships appear to be particularly influential for girls. Girls place greater importance on peer relationships, report closer peer relationships, and also report more strain from peer relationship problems than boys (e.g., Bradley, Flannagan, & Fuhrman, 2001; Colarossi, 2001; DiFilippo & Overholser, 2000; Kobus & Reyes, 2000; Prinstein, Boergers, Spirito, Little, & Grapentine, 2000; Way, Cowal, Gingold, Pahl, & Bissessar, 2001). …”

Friendship Factors and Suicidality: Common and Unique Patterns in Mexican American and European American Youth

“…For example, in two recent studies, urban Hispanic adolescents (age 15 on average) from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds rated their friendships as more affectionate, reliable, and intimate, and their friendship quality higher than similar background African American and Asian American adolescents (Way & Greene, 2006; Way et al., 2001). By contrast, another study found that acculturated working‐ and middle‐class Mexican American youth (age 10 on average) did not differ from European American peers with regard to various friendship characteristics (perceived friendship support, common activities, emotional attachment, and conflict; Bradley et al., 2001). At the same time, the latter study noted greater differences between girls’ and boys’ emotional attachment in Mexican American adolescents as compared with European American adolescents, with girls in both groups reporting more attachment.…”

“…Theory and research indicate that individual well‐being depends on interpersonal factors, with the influence of friendships increasing dramatically during adolescence (e.g., DiFilippo & Overholser, 2000; Hartup, 1996; Kidd, Henrich, Brookmeyer, King, & Shahar, 2006; Prinstein, 2007; Prinstein, Boergers, & Spirito, 2001; Windle, 1994). Friendships appear to be particularly important for girls (e.g., Bradley, Flannagan, & Fuhrman, 2001; Colarossi, 2001; DiFilippo & Overholser, 2000; Kerr, Preuss, & King, 2006; Kobus & Reyes, 2000; Prinstein, Boergers, Spirito, Little, & Grapentine, 2000; Way, Cowal, Gingold, Pahl, & Bissessar, 2001).…”