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Published on: February 29, 2020
Characteristics defining perceived popularity among same-sex and opposite-sex peers
Christina Akre1, André Berchtold2, Yara Barrense-Dias3
1Institut Universitaire de Médecine Sociale et Préventive, Lausanne University Hospital, Biopole 2, Route de la Corniche 10, 1010, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Objectives:
The objective of this study was to compare the characteristics of adolescents and young adults (AYA) who perceive themselves as popular with AYAs who perceive themselves as unpopular vis-á-vis peers from same-sex, opposite-sex, or both.
Methods:
Among a representative sample of in-school 15-24 year-olds students (n=5,179) who completed a self-administrated questionnaire, we measured self-perception of popularity, socio-demographic data, ease to make same/opposite-sex friends, emotional well-being, school variables, substance use, sensation seeking, self-perception of pubertal timing, and aggressive/violent behavior.
Results:
Overall, our findings put forth that popularity was associated to easiness of making same/opposite-sex friends, emotional well-being, socio-economical background, sensation seeking behaviors, and alcohol misuse. Differences appeared between males or females.
Conclusion:
Findings indicate that popularity remains a very important issue among this age group and should be a red flag in clinical assessment. Future research should explore whether feeling of unpopularity can be used as a marker of adolescent well-being and hence help identify those youths who might need help.
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