Affiliation:
1. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Virginia USA
2. The Pennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania USA
3. California State University Northridge Northridge California USA
Abstract
AbstractThis research examined associations between dating and number of friends for rural adolescents with same‐sex and other‐sex dating partners using longitudinal sociometric data (N = 2826; 55% female, 87% White, mean age = 14 at baseline). In multilevel models assessing within‐person change, boys gained female friends when they were in same‐sex romantic relationships, compared to when they were single. In contrast, girls in same‐sex relationships lost female friends and gained male friends. Adolescents in other‐sex romantic relationships gained same‐sex friends compared to when they were single. Results advance understanding of adolescent social and sexual development, suggesting that sexual minority adolescents find allies when dating but may struggle to maintain same‐sex friendships.
Funder
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Subject
Behavioral Neuroscience,Social Sciences (miscellaneous),Developmental and Educational Psychology,Cultural Studies