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Predicting life satisfaction during middle adulthood from peer relationships during mid-adolescence
Donna Marion1, Brett Laursen, Peter Zettergren
1Florida Atlantic University, 3200 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA. dmarion@fau.edu
Journal of Youth and Adolescence
|June 18, 2013
Summary
Adolescent friendships buffer the long-term negative effects of peer rejection on adult life satisfaction. Having friends in youth protects against the risks of social exclusion later in life.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Developmental Science
Background:
- Adolescent peer relationships significantly impact well-being.
- The long-term effects of adolescent peer rejection and friendship into adulthood are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if adolescent peer relationships predict life satisfaction in middle adulthood.
- To examine the direct and buffered effects of adolescent peer rejection and friendship on adult outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A 30-year prospective longitudinal study of 996 Swedish youth.
- Data collected on adolescent friendship and peer rejection (age 15) and adult life satisfaction and relationship quality (ages 43-48).
- Path analyses were used to test direct and buffered-effects models.
Main Results:
- The buffered-effects model was strongly supported, unlike the direct-effects model.
- Adolescent friendships moderated the impact of peer rejection on adult life satisfaction and relationship quality.
- Peer rejection predicted poorer adult outcomes only for adolescents without friends.
Conclusions:
- The benefits of adolescent friendships and the risks of peer rejection extend into middle adulthood.
- Friendship during adolescence acts as a protective factor against the negative consequences of peer rejection.
- Longitudinal research highlights the enduring impact of early social experiences on adult well-being.
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