Friendship Bond May Boost Mental Health

    • deebashree.mohanty@timesgroup.com
    • Publish Date: Aug 24 2017 3:49PM
    • |
    • Updated Date: Aug 24 2017 3:49PM
Friendship Bond May Boost Mental Health

Researchers found that teens who prioritised close friendships at age 15 had lower social anxiety, an increased sense of self-worth and fewer symptoms of depression by the time they reached age 25 than their peers. Close friendships may encourage supportive experiences.

Worried over your son or daughter being too friendly with his or her mates? Take heart, having strong and intimate friendships during adolescence may help improve several aspects of mental health such as anxiety, social acceptance, self-worth and symptoms of depression, researchers say.

“Our research found that the quality of friendships during adolescence may directly predict aspects of long-term mental and emotional health,” said lead author Rachel K. Narr, PhD candidate in clinical psychology at the University of Virginia.

“High school students with higher-quality best friendships tended to improve in several aspects of mental health over time, while teens who were popular among their peers during high school may be more prone to social anxiety later in life,” Narr added.

The study, published in the journal Child Development, looked at a community sample of 169 adolescents over 10 years, from the time they were age 15 to when they were 25.

The youth were racially, ethnically and socio-economically diverse, with 58 per cent Caucasian, 29 per cent African American and eight per cent of mixed race or ethnicity and with median family income $40,000 to $59,999.

Adolescents were assessed annually, answering questions about who their closest friends were, reporting on their friendships and participating in interviews and assessments exploring such feelings as anxiety, social acceptance, self-worth and symptoms of depression.

Researchers found that teens who prioritised close friendships at age 15 had lower social anxiety, an increased sense of self-worth and fewer symptoms of depression by the time they reached age 25 than their peers.

Neither having a strong friendship nor being more popular predicted short-term changes in mental health, the researchers noted. The researchers suggested that this may be because positive experiences with friends help bolster positive feelings about oneself during a stage of life when personal identity is being developed.

Also, close friendships may set adolescents on a trajectory to expect and therefore encourage supportive experiences in the future.


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Comments

Himanshi Dhawan Saffron Public School

Yes, having a bunch of friends around one makes one feel positive and jollified too. Also, if one has an amicable nature, then he/she will be able to deal with the society in future much better and will not feel alienated.

Yana Agarwal G.D GOENKA PUBLIC SCHOOL

True, having friends around makes one feel wanted. Positive friendship brings positive vibes which is everything in the adolescent age. Also, their support helps one take decisions he/she were not able to and they are the group of people whom one can share everything with.

Hemalatha.G Sethu Bhaskara Matriculation Higher Secondary Scho

Yes! Friends around me makes me jovial. I feel confident when I''m with them. I so different at home and school. At school with my friends I''m someone who''s so cool, funny and happy. I''m not like that in my home. I love that nature. They share do many things with us. At times that guide me which I require now! I love my friends!

Antara Bose Shri Shikshayatan School

"A true friend are those rare people who come to find you in dark places and lead you back to the life" - Steven Aitchinson...Positive and true friends supports us even in our darkest phases. Friends are sometimes the backbone with our family healing our problems...

Disha Chopra Delhi Public School, Whitefield

Yes, of course, good friends help in boosting self confidence and esteem. Our friends make us feel proud of ourselves and show us our positive points. This helps a person in the future as they know what they are good at and they can enjoy what they are doing

Aikya Oruganti Epistemo Global - Vikas Leadership School

yes

Aishwarya Iyer Deens Academy

Friendship is one of the mst amazing things ever. The only reason I love going to school IS my friends. I would have quit but for them long time back.

Dharshan Bethel Mat Hr Sec School

Yes, having many friends can boost you in many ways. As much friends you have, as safer and happier you are. In my view friendship is the best relationship in the world. Because it teaches you many things. You get many ideas and knowledge from your friends, which can boost your mental health. So, have as many friends as possible and be the most happiest and funniest person in the world.

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