title: Adolescent peer relationships and behavior problems predict young adults' communication on social networking websites.
abstract: This study examined online communication on social networking web pages in a longitudinal sample of 92 youths (39 male, 53 female). Participants' social and behavioral adjustment was assessed when they were ages 13-14 years and again at ages 20-22 years. At ages 20-22 years, participants' social networking website use and indicators of friendship quality on their web pages were coded by observers. Results suggested that youths who had been better adjusted at ages 13-14 years were more likely to be using social networking web pages at ages 20-22 years, after statistically controlling for age, gender, ethnicity, and parental income. Overall, youths' patterns of peer relationships, friendship quality, and behavioral adjustment at ages 13-14 years and at ages 20-22 years predicted similar qualities of interaction and problem behavior on their social networking websites at ages 20-22 years. Findings are consistent with developmental theory asserting that youths display cross-situational continuity in their social behaviors and suggest that the conceptualization of continuity may be extended into the online domain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4400, USA. Mikami@virginia.edu
authors.forename: Amori Yee
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Mikami
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Szwedo
authors.forename: Joseph P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Meredyth A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Hare
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D041923:Adolescent Development; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D003195:Computer Communication Networks; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012919:Social Behavior; D055815:Young Adult