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Same-sex Versus Other-sex Best Friendship in Early Adolescence: Longitudinal Predictors of Antisocial Behavior Throughout Adolescence

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Abstract

This study examines the relationship between having other-sex versus same-sex best friends and antisocial behavior throughout early adolescence. Participants (N = 955) were recruited in 6th grade and followed longitudinally through 7th, 8th, and 11th grades. Participants were 58% ethnically diverse youth and 48% girls. Results indicate that the frequency of other-sex best friendship remained stable from 6th to 7th grade but significantly increased from 8th to 11th grade. Higher rates of concurrent antisocial behavior were related to having other-sex best friends in 6th grade but not in 7th grade. In 8th grade, there was an interaction between friendship and the sex of friends. Boys with only same-sex best friends and girls with other-sex best friends endorsed higher rates of antisocial behavior. Having other-sex best friends predicted antisocial behavior from 6th to 7th grade and 8th to 11th grade, especially for girls. Implications for the development of early adolescent friendship and antisocial behavior are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This study is part of a larger project directed by principle investigator Thomas Dishion, Ph.D., and supported by grant DA 07031 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health.

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  1. Child and Family Center, University of Oregon, 195 W. 12th Ave, Eugene, OR, 97401, USA

    Cara Lee Arndorfer & Elizabeth A. Stormshak

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  1. Cara Lee Arndorfer
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  2. Elizabeth A. Stormshak
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Correspondence to Elizabeth A. Stormshak.

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Arndorfer, C.L., Stormshak, E.A. Same-sex Versus Other-sex Best Friendship in Early Adolescence: Longitudinal Predictors of Antisocial Behavior Throughout Adolescence. J Youth Adolescence 37, 1059–1070 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-008-9311-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-008-9311-x

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