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

Abstract

Introduction: Using a prospective longitudinal design across six years, the current study investigated whether adolescents' experiences of peer rejection across middle school increased their risk of maladaptive (aggressive and unsupportive) behaviors in high school romantic relationships. Additionally, friendship quality following the transition to high school was examined as a potential protective factor. Methods: The sample consisted of 1,987 ethnically diverse youth (54% female; M age = 17.10) who were romantically involved at eleventh grade. Peer rejection (based on peer nominations) was assessed at four time points across three years in middle school. Students reported on their friendship quality in ninth grade and their aggressive (e.g., shouting; hitting) and supportive (e.g., listening; helping) behaviors towards a romantic partner in eleventh grade. Results: Results demonstrated that adolescents who were increasingly rejected by peers during middle school were more likely to behave aggressively towards their romantic partners in high school. Friendship quality at the beginning of high school moderated prospective links from rejection to support, such that escalating middle school peer rejection predicted less supportive romantic behaviors only among youth with low-quality friendships at ninth grade. These patterns were documented over and above the effects of sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and students' aggressive behavior at the beginning of middle school. Conclusions: Together, the findings suggest that 1) increasing peer rejection during middle school may spiral into later romantic relationship dysfunction and 2) supportive friendships across a critical school transition can interrupt links between peer and romantic problems.Establishing healthy romantic relationships is considered a key developmental task of adolescence (Collins & van Dulmen, 2006;Furman, 2002), with the majority of teens reporting at least one romantic relationship by age 15 (Carver, Joyner, & Udry, 2003). Although early relationships provide opportunities for adolescents to experience companionship, intimacy, and support that offer preparation for healthy romantic bonds in adulthood, they can also present unique developmental challenges. In particular, adolescents' inexperience communicating with a romantic partner or managing the intense emotions of a romantic relationship can precipitate problematic interpersonal functioning. Indeed, up to 35% of adolescents exhibit aggression towards their dating partners (Haynie et al., 2013), and many young people feel ill-equipped to navigate romantic conflicts and foster caring intimate relationships (Weissbourd, Anderson, Cashin, & McIntyre, 2017). Because aggression and hostility in teenagers' romantic relationships are concerning developmental precursors to adult intimate partner violence (Exner-Cortens, Eckenrode, & Rothman, 2013), adolescence may

Prospective associations between peer functioning and social anxiety in adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Further research is needed to study these complex interactions by considering some of the recent research findings (e.g. Freitas et al., 2019 ; Schacter et al., 2019 ).…”

“…Peer rejection, which refers to the degree to which an individual is disliked by peers, has been assessed by asking respondents to nominate the peers they liked the least ( Sentse et al., 2017 ) or report the frequency of perceived rejection ( Vernberg et al., 1992 ). Higher levels of peer rejection have been found to predict an increase in physical health problems, more aggression towards romantic partners, and more frequent peer victimization ( Brendgen & Vitaro, 2008 ; Demol et al., 2020 ; Schacter et al., 2019 ).…”

Unraveling the effect of ambivalence over emotional expression on subjective wellbeing in Chinese college students in romantic relationships: A multiple mediation model

“…For example, Ratelle ( 64 ) found that a romantic partner was an important source of support, and college students’ wellbeing was the highest when their romantic partner is perceived as highly supportive. What is more, Schacter et al ( 69 ) indicated that high-quality relationships can compensate for rejection from peer groups. Based on these perspectives, it could be assumed that individuals’ romantic relationships might make up for the negative experiences (e.g., stress) from individual normal social interaction, which means high AEE individuals are more likely to attach to their romantic partners rather than avoid them when they find it hard to get along with peers.…”

Digital Social Multitasking (DSMT), Friendship Quality, and Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction Among Adolescents: Perceptions as Mediators

“…It facilitates desirable behaviors and serves as a protective factor against undesirable outcomes. For example, friendship quality predicts adolescents’ supportive behaviors in romantic relationships (Schacter et al, 2019 ). Furthermore, while peer victimization predicts poor socioemotional well-being, and peer rejection predicts less support provision in romantic relationships, these associations are mitigated among adolescents reporting high-quality friendships (Cuadros & Berger, 2016 ; Schacter et al, 2019 ).…”

“…For example, friendship quality predicts adolescents’ supportive behaviors in romantic relationships (Schacter et al, 2019 ). Furthermore, while peer victimization predicts poor socioemotional well-being, and peer rejection predicts less support provision in romantic relationships, these associations are mitigated among adolescents reporting high-quality friendships (Cuadros & Berger, 2016 ; Schacter et al, 2019 ). Conversely, poor friendship quality predicts the onset of maladaptive behaviors in friendships, such as keeping secrets (Corsano et al, 2017 ) and telling lies (Dykstra et al, 2020 ).…”