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The Journal of Early Adolescence, Vol. 26, No. 4, 414-431 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0272431606291942

The Changing Nature of Adolescent Friendships

Longitudinal Links With Early Adolescent Ego Development

Penny Marsh

University of Washington, pennym{at}u.washington.edu

Joseph P. Allen

University of Virginia

Martin Ho

University of Denver

Maryfrances Porter

University of Virginia

F. Christy McFarland

University of Virginia

Although success in managing evolving peer relationships is linked to critical adolescent outcomes, little is known about the specific factors that lead to success or failure in peer relationship development across adolescence. This longitudinal study examines the role of adolescents’ level of ego development as a predictor of the future course of several facets of friendship development in early adolescence. Ego development was assessed in a community sample of adolescents at age 13. Several facets of adolescent friendship were also assessed at 13 and then reassessed 1 year later, including adolescent intimate behavior during a supportive interaction with their best friends, adolescent reports of psychological security in their friendships, and peer-rated popularity. As predicted, ego development not only explained concurrent levels of peer functioning but also predicted markers of change over time in each of the assessed domains of peer functioning. Implications for ego development in increasing our understanding of individual differences in adolescent friendship development are discussed.

Key Words: ego development • adolescence • peer relationships • friendships • development


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