Similarity in depressive symptoms in adolescents' friendship dyads: Selection or socialization?

• DOI: 10.1037/a0023872
• Publication Date: 2011-05-31T19:15:56Z
• Authors: Matteo Giletta; Ron H. J. Scholte; William J. Burk; Rutger C. M. E. E...; Junilla K. Larsen; Mitchell J. Prins...; Silvia Ciairano
• Keywords: Socialization; Similarity (geometry)

This study examined friendship selection and socialization as mechanisms explaining similarity in depressive symptoms adolescent same-gender best friend dyads.The sample consisted of 1,752 adolescents (51% male) ages 12-16 years (M ϭ 13.77, SD 0.73) forming 487 dyads 389 nonfriend (the served a comparison group).To test our hypothesis, we applied multigroup actor-partner interdependence model to 3 types that started ended at different time points during the 2 waves data collection.Results showed reported levels follow-up were similar those their friends.Socialization processes explained increase exclusively female dyads, whereas no evidence for emerged either male or dyads.Additional analyses revealed between friends was particularly evident actual (i.e., true friends), which both dyads.Findings highlight importance examining relations potential context development symptoms.