Who's the Boss? Patterns of Perceived Control in Adolescents' Friendships

Authors: Kimberly A. Updegraff¹; Heather M. Helms²; Susan M. McHale³; Ann C. Crouter⁴; Shawna M. Thayer⁵; Lara H. Sales⁶

Source: Journal of Youth and Adolescence, Volume 33, Number 5, October 2004 , pp. 403-420(18)

Publisher: Springer

Abstract:

This study examined the nature and correlates of different patterns of perceived control in adolescents' relationships with their best friends. Participants included firstborn adolescents (M = 14.94 years), their younger siblings (M = 12.44 years) and both their mothers and fathers in 163 families as well as a best friend of each adolescent (M = 15 years). Data were collected from family members during home visits regarding adolescents' family relationships, friendships, and psychosocial adjustment; time use data were gathered during a series of 7 nightly phone interviews. Information was obtained from best friends during a brief phone interview. We developed a typology of 3 different patterns of perceived friendship control based on the combination of adolescents' and their best friends' ratings of relational control. Patterns of control in adolescents' friendships were associated with the distribution of control in both parents' marriages and adolescents' sibling relationships. Further analyses, designed to test developmental predictions, revealed connections between friendship control and other qualities of adolescents' friendships (i.e., intimacy, conflict, perspective-taking).

Keywords: friendships; control; family relationships; adolescence

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:JOYO.0000037633.39422.b0

Affiliations: 1: Associate Professor of Family and Human Development at Arizona State University;, Email: kimberly.updegraff@asu.edu 2: An Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro 3: Human Development at Penn State University 4: Professor of Human Development and Director of the Center for Work and Family Research at Penn State University 5: Department of Family and Human Development at Arizona State University 6: Family and Human Development at Arizona State University

Publication date: 2004-10-01

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Pediatrics ,  Psychology ,  Families & Communities
• By this author: Kimberly A. Updegraff ;  Heather M. Helms ;  Susan M. McHale ;  Ann C. Crouter ;  Shawna M. Thayer ;  Lara H. Sales

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers