This document summarizes an academic research project analyzing the effects of peer relations on depression in homosexual adolescents. The study examined hypotheses about higher stress and lower self-esteem in sexual minorities, as well as differences in peer networks, friendships, and levels of being "out." The results provided partial support for the hypotheses, showing some increased depression and anxiety in sexual minorities but no effects on self-esteem. Differences in peer networks depended on age and being out, rather than sexuality alone. The study suggests adolescent experiences are more complex than previously thought.
Adolescent Internalizing Symptoms and the Tightknittedness” o.docxgalerussel59292
Adolescent Internalizing Symptoms and the “Tightknittedness” of
Friendship Groups
Sonja E. Siennick and Mayra Picon
Florida State University
Adolescents with depression have lower peer status overall, but tend to befriend each other. We examined the
“tightknittedness” of their friendship groups by testing whether adolescent friendship groups’ average levels of or vari-
ability in internalizing symptoms predict group cohesiveness. We used four waves (9th–12th grades) of survey and
social network data on 3,013 friendship groups from the PROmoting School-Community-University Partnerships to
Enhance Resilience study. Friendship groups with higher average depressive symptoms were less cohesive; groups
with higher average anxiety symptoms had greater reciprocity. Groups with greater variability in depressive symptoms
had greater density; variability in anxiety symptoms was not consistently associated with cohesion. The friendship
groups of depressed adolescents appear less cohesive than the “typical” adolescent friendship group.
When compared with their peers, adolescents with
more depressive symptoms have fewer friends,
have less stable friendships, and are more often
victimized and rejected by their peers (Chan &
Poulin, 2009; Kochel, Ladd, & Rudolph, 2012; Rose
et al., 2011; Stice, Ragan, & Randall, 2004). Yet
depressive symptoms also are a basis for friend-
ship formation, such that adolescents experiencing
these symptoms tend to be friends with each other
(Cheadle & Goosby, 2012; Hogue & Steinberg,
1995; Schaefer, Kornienko, & Fox, 2011). This
means that even if they have lower status in their
larger peer networks, many adolescents with
depressive symptoms do have friends, and those
friends often have depressive symptoms them-
selves. Thus many youth with depressive symp-
toms are likely embedded in friendship groups of
adolescents with similar symptoms. Yet we do not
know whether these friendship groups are as cohe-
sive as the groups formed by youth without
depressive symptoms, or whether they are
structurally weaker and thus not comparable sub-
stitutes, at least in terms of cohesion, for typical
friendship groups. Most studies of depressive
symptoms and peer networks have focused on
dyadic interactions or on individual adolescents’
status within entire social networks, rather than on
friendship groups.
This study examined whether friendship groups
comprised of adolescents with more depressive
symptoms are smaller and “looser,” or less tight-
knit, than groups characterized by fewer depres-
sive symptoms. It also examined whether groups
whose members vary more in their levels of
depressive symptoms are smaller and less tight-
knit. Finally, it distinguished between symptoms of
depression and symptoms of anxiety, which stud-
ies suggest may have opposite effects on friendship
cohesion (Rose et al., 2011). To our knowledge, this
is the first paper to describe the internal cohesive-
ness of friendship groups with members who have
varying.
Adolescent Internalizing Symptoms and the Tightknittedness” o.docxAMMY30
Adolescent Internalizing Symptoms and the “Tightknittedness” of
Friendship Groups
Sonja E. Siennick and Mayra Picon
Florida State University
Adolescents with depression have lower peer status overall, but tend to befriend each other. We examined the
“tightknittedness” of their friendship groups by testing whether adolescent friendship groups’ average levels of or vari-
ability in internalizing symptoms predict group cohesiveness. We used four waves (9th–12th grades) of survey and
social network data on 3,013 friendship groups from the PROmoting School-Community-University Partnerships to
Enhance Resilience study. Friendship groups with higher average depressive symptoms were less cohesive; groups
with higher average anxiety symptoms had greater reciprocity. Groups with greater variability in depressive symptoms
had greater density; variability in anxiety symptoms was not consistently associated with cohesion. The friendship
groups of depressed adolescents appear less cohesive than the “typical” adolescent friendship group.
When compared with their peers, adolescents with
more depressive symptoms have fewer friends,
have less stable friendships, and are more often
victimized and rejected by their peers (Chan &
Poulin, 2009; Kochel, Ladd, & Rudolph, 2012; Rose
et al., 2011; Stice, Ragan, & Randall, 2004). Yet
depressive symptoms also are a basis for friend-
ship formation, such that adolescents experiencing
these symptoms tend to be friends with each other
(Cheadle & Goosby, 2012; Hogue & Steinberg,
1995; Schaefer, Kornienko, & Fox, 2011). This
means that even if they have lower status in their
larger peer networks, many adolescents with
depressive symptoms do have friends, and those
friends often have depressive symptoms them-
selves. Thus many youth with depressive symp-
toms are likely embedded in friendship groups of
adolescents with similar symptoms. Yet we do not
know whether these friendship groups are as cohe-
sive as the groups formed by youth without
depressive symptoms, or whether they are
structurally weaker and thus not comparable sub-
stitutes, at least in terms of cohesion, for typical
friendship groups. Most studies of depressive
symptoms and peer networks have focused on
dyadic interactions or on individual adolescents’
status within entire social networks, rather than on
friendship groups.
This study examined whether friendship groups
comprised of adolescents with more depressive
symptoms are smaller and “looser,” or less tight-
knit, than groups characterized by fewer depres-
sive symptoms. It also examined whether groups
whose members vary more in their levels of
depressive symptoms are smaller and less tight-
knit. Finally, it distinguished between symptoms of
depression and symptoms of anxiety, which stud-
ies suggest may have opposite effects on friendship
cohesion (Rose et al., 2011). To our knowledge, this
is the first paper to describe the internal cohesive-
ness of friendship groups with members who have
varying.
Running head What factors affect the quality of our relationships.docxrtodd599
Running head: What factors affect the quality of our relationships?
WHAT FACTORS AFFECT THE QUALITY OF OUR RELATIONSHIPS?
1
What factors affect the quality of our relationships?(Autumn R. Scrivens)University of West Georgia
Abstract
Risky attachment styles are behaviors that are high risk and enacted by an impulse that can eventually lead to engaging in sexual acts with a person who has a sexually transmitted infection/ disease or someone who is at risk of becoming pregnant. Girls who grew up in a two-parent household or one parent household but the father was present during adolescent years have shown to engage in less risky attachment styles; whereas girls who grew up without a father figure or a non-parent household have shown to engage in riskier attachment styles such as avoidant and insecure/ambivalent styles. Past research experiences shows’ evidence that the impact of a fatherly figure can affect how young girls choose their relationships but this impact was not as definite in young males. Because the research is so biased, the following research identifies the factors that affect the quality of our relationships based on the impact of a fatherly figure and how this impact affects young girls' attachment styles when in a relationship. Finally, I offer implications for this research from a social and psychological aspect.
Keywords: attachment styles, relationships, Introduction
The factors that affect the quality of our relationships provides researchers with a qualitative framework for the understanding of the overall effects of the parental figure being a part of the development of the child; and how this development affects how young ladies and men get involved in quality relationships. These factors also give researchers the opportunity to understand how the emotional and physical relationship between a father and daughter affect how the daughters that did not grow up with healthy paternal relationships have underlying sexual factors and attachment styles. The significance of this research is to identify which factors from various upbringing whether being one parent, two-parent, or care system household affect the quality of our relationships. Furthermore, this research will explain what our upbringing says about those who we enter relationships with or keep in our life. At this stage in the research, the factors that define the quality of relationships for young ladies and men between the ages of 15 to 24 are scarce. Some deficiencies within each article in regards to research between the physical and emotional bond are described as strong emotional bonds and a need for a consistent partner but there were no articles that related to emotional development and how fathers play a major part in this development. Because of these various deficiencies, by using qualitative methods during my research I hope to explore the emotional and physical bond between a father and daughter while using personal experiences and various.
International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention (IJHSSI) is an international journal intended for professionals and researchers in all fields of Humanities and Social Science. IJHSSI publishes research articles and reviews within the whole field Humanities and Social Science, new teaching methods, assessment, validation and the impact of new technologies and it will continue to provide information on the latest trends and developments in this ever-expanding subject. The publications of papers are selected through double peer reviewed to ensure originality, relevance, and readability. The articles published in our journal can be accessed online.
The Journal will bring together leading researchers, engineers and scientists in the domain of interest from around the world. Topics of interest for submission include, but are not limited to :
Peer Contagion and Adolescent Depression The Role of Failure Antici.docxbartholomeocoombs
Peer Contagion and Adolescent Depression: The Role of Failure Anticipation
Adolescents are individuals who are mostly affected by mental problems such as depression. According to the article, several researchers have tried to conduct empirical studies in order to explain the reasons behind the development of depressive symptoms in adolescents (Zalk et al., 2010). The process at which peers influence each other and result in development of similar depressive symptoms is known as peer contagion. Studies posited that peer depressive symptoms cause a child to have increased negative cognitions and subsequently depressive symptoms. Studies also suggest adolescent girls are more prone to depressive symptoms than boys. The article investigates which gender is affected more by peer depressive symptoms.
Peer Contagion and Depressive Symptoms
. Friends always co-ruminate as they commonly encourage “problem talk, rehash issues, speculate about problems, and dwell on negative affect” (Zalk et al., 2010). During co-rumination, peers with depressive symptoms tend to share negative thoughts and emotions that mentally affect other peers. With time the adolescents may also develop similar symptoms of depression.
Mechanisms necessary for peer contagion
. Peer contagion is impacted by failure anticipation and the likelihood of failing in one's future expectations. In this case, the adolescents realize the outcomes of stressful situations that they have to experience at one point in their lives. This makes an adolescent to try and find solution so as to be successful in the future. An individual with high expectation could focus on likelihood of his failing in the future. With time the adolescents feel pressured and self-deprecated. As the progress continues, they get trapped and develop depressive symptoms (Zalk et al., 2010).
Gender influence in failure anticipation
. Research have shown that girls are more affected by peer contagion than boys. This means depressive symptoms in girls are higher than in boys because of peer contagion. It is evident that girls’ failure anticipation is more strongly affected by their friends as compared to boys. Studies describe girls as people who share their emotional problems with their friends more than boys. There is a likelihood of sharing negative future anticipation and negative attributes that result to psychological problems with time. Also, female adolescents are more emotional than boys, and this affects them when their friendship is affected by negative factors and expectations. As this continues, their thoughts, expectations, and emotions are negatively affected. According to experimental studies, when girls communicate within their friendship, they developed stress-related hormones and increased when they share emotional problems and failure anticipations (Zalk et al., 2010).
Alternative processes
. Homophily and the similarity-attraction theories argue that people with similar values, characters and b.
Hi Jason,Thank you for submitting your unit 2 paper. SafeAssign .docxpooleavelina
Hi Jason,
Thank you for submitting your unit 2 paper. SafeAssign indicated that your paper has a 5% match – nice job.
I like how you explained how the theory relates to the case study. Great job! Be sure to credit all sources.
You did not explain how ethics inform professional behavior in the field of human sexuality. Be sure to include the APA Code of Ethics here.
Directions state “Examine and explain how ethical standards guide professional behavior as it relates to the issues and concepts identified in the selected human sexuality case study. You must state the specific ethical standard that relates to the topic or issue highlighted in the case study and explain how this ethical standard guides professional behavior.”
You did follow all APA formatting rules throughout your paper. Continue to work on APA formatting – this is an important part of scholarly writing in the field of psychology – it gives you the author credibility.
Apply psychological theories to topics in human sexuality.
Criterion: Apply psychological theories to a case study in human sexuality.
Proficient
Applies psychological theories to a case study in human sexuality.
Faculty Comments:“
You did apply psychological theories to a case study in human sexuality. You can provide a clear link between the theories and the case. You suggested "The growth of sexuality begins as early as in intrauterine life following interpretation as well as proceeds through infancy, adolescence, youth, and adulthood till death. There is no gender awareness during infancy" How do you know? Cite your sources.
You also indicated that "Youth can be broadly separated into 3 stages. Those are Early-stage that is 10 to 13 years, middle-stage is 14 to 16 years, and last-stage is 17 to 19 years. Physical variances start in early teens, where they are very focused on their body image" - you need to credit all sources.
Apply scholarly research findings to topics in human sexuality.
Criterion: Apply scholarly research findings to a case study in human sexuality.
Distinguished
Proficient
Basic
Non-Performance
Basic
Applies scholarly research findings to a case study in human sexuality at a cursory level.
Faculty Comments:“
You did apply scholarly research findings to a case study in human sexuality. You can provide a clear link between the scholarly research and the case. You also need to credit all sources - you mentioned "Numerous researchers have investigated on western population concerning sexual behavior decorations of adolescents as well as investigated the potential factors connecting to the sexual practices. In this research, they studied more than eleven thousand adolescents from 18 to 27 years of age....." You need to credit all sources.
Explain how ethics inform professional behavior in the field of human sexuality.
Criterion: Explain how ethics inform professional behavior in the field of human sexuality.
Distinguished
Proficient
Basic
Non-Performance
Non-Performance
Does not explain how ...
Romantic relationships among adults with asperger syndromemiriam odar
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience difficulties in maintain-
ing romantic relationships. This article is based in a study high-functioning adults with ASD were examined concerning
their romantic relationship interest and experience.
4. Journal of Research on Adolescence. This Journal is well known for its cross examination of family cultural values and adolescent development. This article will follow these guidelines and show how belonging to a sexual minority affects adolescent development
6. Research Lisa Diamond’s main area of focus is the development of same-sex sexuality and how relationships and emotional bonds are formed. Her main research method is interviews and controlled psychophysiological experiments.
7. Education She obtained her Graduate Degree in 1993 at University of Chicago in Psychology and her PhD in 1999 at Cornell University in Human Development. Both of these were obtained in the 90s, at the height of acceptance and research of non-normative sexual behavior.
9. This article is meant to provide original research to expand the database of information on sexual minority adolescent development. It is written to provide commentary on the previous research in this area and steer the research towards how sexual minorities are comparative to their sexual normative counterparts.
14. Research in the psychological health of homosexuals has consistently found that homosexuals are more likely to be suicidal and have forms of depression. But where does this increase come from?
16. Questions to answer: Where does this mental instability come from? Does every one in the academic community agree? If these differences exist, then where do the similarities between heterosexual and homosexual lie?
18. Psychological stability lots of friends you can trust By measuring qualities of subjects’ friendships, we see the effects of depression in their day to day lives
20. Defining Homosexuality Throughout this presentation: Homosexuality is anyone who does not identify as Heterosexual -According to the study by Diamond and Lucas, all sexual-minorities experience the same adolescent psychological stress. -Heterosexual is anyone who is exclusively attracted to the opposite sex International symbol for Homosexuality
21. Friends are important They replace parents in giving: advice companionship loyalty emotional support Peer Pressure flowchart from http://ranahia.glogster.com/
22. The difference in Homosexuals They may replace peer groups more readily for fear of parental rejection They fear that their highly valued peer groups may reject them if their sexuality is exposed May hold peers at arms length for fear of developing less-than-platonic feelings towards friends Romantic relationships are stunted by existing stereotypes about the promiscuity of homosexuals From cartoonstock.com It boils down to: Fear of losing those that are close to them because of their sexuality.
23. One equalizing factor: The Closet Adolescents who are out of the closet may have better ideas of how peers will react to their same-sex attraction This will lead to more security in peer groups and better selection of accepting friends
26. Hypothesis 1. Sexual minorities will have higher perceived stress and lower self esteem
27. Hypothesis 2. Sexual minorities will have fewer friends and more insecurities despite having higher proportions of close friends
28. Hypothesis 3. Youth in the closet will have the least normative peer group trends, older adolescents out of the closet will most resemble their heterosexual peers
32. Results and Discussion All of the results can be summed up in one chart that identifies correlations between each of the measured parameters:
33.
34. What does this chart even say? Wow that’s a lot of numbers… What do they have to do with our hypotheses?
35. Hypothesis 1. Sexual identity was seen to increase: Levels of Depression Anxiety Physical symptoms of stress Sexual identity was not seen to effect: Self Esteem perceived stress Mastery This shows that the first hypothesis only partially supported by the findings.
36. Hypothesis 2. Sexual identity was seen to effect: Proportion of close friends to acquaintances Number of friends lost Worries over losing friends It was not seen to effect: Peer network size Number of close friends Connectedness to friends Again, only partial support for this hypothesis was found
37. Hypothesis 3. The study sample was divided into three groups for comparison: Heterosexuals (H), Out Homosexuals (O) and Closeted Homosexuals (C) Significant trends were found in Peer network size – H=O>C (where this indicates heterosexuals had the same sized peer networks as out homosexuals, and both were greater than closeted homosexuals) Proportion of Close friends – O>C=H Friendship fears – O>C=H Friendship loss – O>C=H Thus almost no support was found for Hypothesis 3.
46. Views Held Before – Dire psychological differences between Sexual Minorities and heterosexual youths From This study – Peer networks perceived stress, self esteem are all unaffected by one’s sexuality Although kids of sexual minorities are picked on, they don’t value themselves any less.
47. Views Held Before – All sexual minority adolescents have smaller peer groups and higher proportions of close friends From This study – Age plays a large role in the effects of sexuality on peer groups. Older sexual minorities have healthier peer networks than their heterosexual counterparts Future studies will have to pick out why there is the shift with age.
48. Views Held Before – Out sexual minorities would have healthier peer networks From This study – Out Sexual minorities had larger proportion of close friends friend networks but greater Number of friend losses Friendship insecurities Openness about ones sexuality is neither uniformly positive or negative.
50. Developmental psychologists have attempted to identify differences between heterosexual and homosexual adolescent experiences. But they have done so by primarily examining negative psychological effects of peer victimization and stigmatization. This paper opens the door to examine more ordinary differences in homosexual and heterosexual adolescent experiences.
51. Bibliography Diamond, L.M., & Lucas, S. (2004). Sexual-Minority and Heterosexual Youths’ Peer Relationships: Experiences, Expectations, and Implications for Well-Being. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 14(3), 313-340. Background art provided by Felibree on deviantart.com