Self-consciousness, friendship quality, and adolescent internalizing problems.
The correlates between public and private self-consciousness and internalizing difficulties were examined during early adolescence. Friendship quality was assessed as a possible moderator of the relation between self-consciousness and maladjustment. One hundred and thirty-seven young adolescents (N = 87girls; M age = 13.98 years) reported on their self-consciousness, internalizing problems, and the quality of their best friendship. Results indicated stronger associations between private self-consciousness and internalizing correlates than between public self-consciousness and internalizing problems, suggesting that private self-consciousness may be a stronger risk factor during adolescence. Contrary to expectations, evidence revealed that positive friendship quality may exacerbate some difficulties associated with self-consciousness. Results pertaining to friendship quality add to the growing literature on the ways in which friendships can contribute to adjustment difficulties.
Bowker
Julie C
JC
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260-4110, USA. jcbowker@buffalo.edu
Rubin
Kenneth H
KH
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires