Do Teenage Friendships Affect Adult Health?

High-quality adolescent friendships contribute to better physical health, says study.

17:50 02 September 2015

A recent study has found a link between good quality adolescent friendships to a healthy adult life. The study, which was published in Psychological Science, also found that peer pressure is also linked to better health.

 

A group of 171 students were observed by US researchers while their self-nominated best friends filled out questionnaires about their friendship at several times between the ages of 13 and 17. The participants’ health was measured at ages 25, 26, and 27. The study found that those who have high quality adolescent friendships showed decreased levels of anxiety and depression.

The author of the study, Joseph P. Allen, a researcher at the University of Virginia said: 

 

“These results indicate that remaining close to — as opposed to separating oneself – from the peer pack in adolescence has long-term implications for adult physical health.”

 

“From a risk and prevention perspective, difficulty forming close relationships early in adolescence may now be considered a marker of risk for long-term health difficulties.”