Researcher(s)
- Martha Billups, Psychology, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Mary Dozier, Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware
- Kristen Cotton, Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware
Abstract
Friendships are an essential part to the growing adolescent’s mental health and well-being. The quality of peer connection has been associated with life satisfaction, self-esteem, and greater happiness among adolescents (Alsarrani, et al. 2022).  Social support from others has been known to affect depression, anger, and other emotions. (Hojjat & Moyer, 2017). Therefore, it is important to study the connection between discord in friendships among adolescents with anxiety over time. This study aimed to see if there is a relationship between an increase in anxiety and friendship discord. In this study, 87 participants answered the self-report Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) Questionnaire at ages 13 and 14. Friendship discord was measured using the Network of Relationships (NRI) Relationship Quality Version Questionnaire (RQV) at age 15. Using linear regression, the results show that an increase in anxiety from age 13 to 14 predicted friendship discord at age 15 (r=0/331, p=<.001). Anxiety at age 13 was controlled for to eliminate self-report bias. Sex was also controlled since it has been found that girls experience more anxiety than boys. These findings show that an increase in anxiety is associated with greater discord in friendships. However, we do not have the data to predict whether an increase in anxiety is causing friendship discord or if friendship discord is causing an increase in anxiety. Further research should be done to contribute to these results by examining friendship discord at earlier ages.