The Nature of Adolescents' Relationships with Their “Very Important” Nonparental Adults

Authors: Beam M.R.¹; Chen C.²; Greenberger E.²

Source: American Journal of Community Psychology, Volume 30, Number 2, April 2002 , pp. 305-325(21)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

As part of a larger program of research on the nature of adolescents' relationships with very important nonparental adults (hereafter referred to as “VIPs”), a community sample of 243 eleventh graders (mean age = 16.6 years) was surveyed, and a subgroup of 55 adolescents and their VIPs were interviewed about the nature and quality of their relationships. Results showed that (a) adolescent–VIP relationships were a normative component of adolescent development, not a result of problems in adolescents' lives; (b) adolescent–VIP relationships were generally of high quality (e.g., high support, low conflict, and high mutuality); (c) there were significant differences between kin and nonkin VIPs in terms of the duration of relationships and frequency of contact, but not in the quality of relationships; and (d) VIPs whom adolescents designated as extremely important were distinguished from other VIPs in terms of providing a higher level of social support and a higher frequency of contact. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

Keywords: adolescents; relationships; mentors

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: University of California – Irvine; margaret_beam@rmccorp.com 2: University of California – Irvine

Publication date: 2002-04-01