title: The functions of pen pals for adolescents.
abstract: We questioned adolescents in Israel who wished to have a pen pal concerning their motives and their reasons for wanting such a relationship. Results showed that pen pal correspondence was more frequently sought during the earlier years of adolescence and particularly among girls. Adolescents' motives and reasons for wanting a pen pal suggested that such a correspondence may serve the growing need for a close and intimate friend as well as a search for an imaginary companion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shulman
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Seiffge-Krenke
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dimitrovsky
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D015709:Correspondence as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D010553:Personality Development; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent