Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Laursen, Brett

Abstract

This study of 91 dyads investigated concurrent and prospective bidirectional associations between friendship quality and psychosocial adjustment in young adolescents, using multiple-group structural equation modeling to detect gender differences. Friend reports ofboth positive (social support) and negative features of friendship, self-reports of two adjustment variables (internalizing problems and externalizing problems), and self-reports of three dimensions of self-esteem (global selfworth, behavioral conduct esteem, and close friendship esteem) were examined at two time periods approximately one year apart. Principal findings were that grade 6 friendship negativity was inversely associated with grade 7 self-esteem, and positively associated with grade 7 internalizing problems and externalizing problems, in the boys' model but not girls' model. Chi-square difference testing confirmed a significant difference between these paths in the girls' model and these paths in the boys' model.

Extent

90 p.

Comments

Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008.|Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008.

Identifier

FA00000795

Format

pdf

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