Madeleine C Suhs, Breana L Bryant, Taylor L Hilderbrand, Grayson N Holmbeck
{"title":"The importance of friendship: influence of peer relationships on physical and mental health in youth with spina bifida.","authors":"Madeleine C Suhs, Breana L Bryant, Taylor L Hilderbrand, Grayson N Holmbeck","doi":"10.1093/jpepsy/jsaf020","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate associations between peer relationship factors (i.e., quality and quantity) and mental and physical health outcomes in youth with spina bifida (SB).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>One hundred and forty youth with SB (Mage = 11.43; 53.6% female) were recruited as part of a larger longitudinal study. Families of youth with SB were invited to ask the child's closest friend to participate. The study included questionnaire (youth- and parent-report) and observational peer interaction data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Observational peer interaction data were associated with mental and physical health in youth with SB. The number of friends was negatively associated with withdrawn/depressed behavior. Self-reported friendship quality and peer emotional support were not associated with physical health outcomes in youth with SB. However, peer emotional support was positively associated with emotional quality of life.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Friendship quality, particularly observed peer interaction characteristics, was associated with better mental and physical health adjustment. The quantity of friendships was not associated with physical health outcomes but was associated with mental health outcomes. Findings have implications for clinical interventions geared toward improving social functioning in youth with SB.</p>","PeriodicalId":48372,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pediatric Psychology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Pediatric Psychology","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsaf020","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENTAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate associations between peer relationship factors (i.e., quality and quantity) and mental and physical health outcomes in youth with spina bifida (SB).
Methods: One hundred and forty youth with SB (Mage = 11.43; 53.6% female) were recruited as part of a larger longitudinal study. Families of youth with SB were invited to ask the child's closest friend to participate. The study included questionnaire (youth- and parent-report) and observational peer interaction data.
Results: Observational peer interaction data were associated with mental and physical health in youth with SB. The number of friends was negatively associated with withdrawn/depressed behavior. Self-reported friendship quality and peer emotional support were not associated with physical health outcomes in youth with SB. However, peer emotional support was positively associated with emotional quality of life.
Conclusions: Friendship quality, particularly observed peer interaction characteristics, was associated with better mental and physical health adjustment. The quantity of friendships was not associated with physical health outcomes but was associated with mental health outcomes. Findings have implications for clinical interventions geared toward improving social functioning in youth with SB.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Pediatric Psychology is the official journal of the Society of Pediatric Psychology, Division 54 of the American Psychological Association. The Journal of Pediatric Psychology publishes articles related to theory, research, and professional practice in pediatric psychology. Pediatric psychology is an integrated field of science and practice in which the principles of psychology are applied within the context of pediatric health. The field aims to promote the health and development of children, adolescents, and their families through use of evidence-based methods.