Abstract
As part of a larger program of research on the nature of adolescents' relationships with very important nonparental adults (hereafter referred to as “VIPs”), a community sample of 243 eleventh graders (mean age = 16.6 years) was surveyed, and a subgroup of 55 adolescents and their VIPs were interviewed about the nature and quality of their relationships. Results showed that (a) adolescent–VIP relationships were a normative component of adolescent development, not a result of problems in adolescents' lives; (b) adolescent–VIP relationships were generally of high quality (e.g., high support, low conflict, and high mutuality); (c) there were significant differences between kin and nonkin VIPs in terms of the duration of relationships and frequency of contact, but not in the quality of relationships; and (d) VIPs whom adolescents designated as extremely important were distinguished from other VIPs in terms of providing a higher level of social support and a higher frequency of contact. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
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Beam, M.R., Chen, C. & Greenberger, E. The Nature of Adolescents' Relationships with Their “Very Important” Nonparental Adults. Am J Community Psychol 30, 305–325 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014641213440
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014641213440