Adolescent friends in friendship who conform to the group are said to be healthier in adulthood than people who stay apart and do not make an effort to socialize.
“Teens’ very intense social life, and the energy they invest in maintaining it, may indicate an instinctive recognition that friendship and well-being go hand in hand,” say the study’s authors.
Researchers at the University of Virginia (USA) conducted a study with 171 teens, aged 13, and followed them until their 27th birthday. The researchers questioned them regularly during the first years, then once a year from their 25 years on socialization, and the quality of their friendships. At 25, the participants took part in a general medical check-up and an analysis of their mental health.
During the study, the volunteers had to name their best friend, who also had to answer a questionnaire on the quality of their friendship.
After adjusting for risk factors (weight, consumption of alcohol, tobacco, drug, family history and socio-professional status of the family), the researchers highlighted the quality of the friendships and the efforts made by adolescents to comply with the expectations of society and their health.
Findings from this study reveal that both strong friendships and efforts to conform with others during adolescence were associated with better health at age 27.
“These results indicate that staying close – and not excluding yourself – from the group during adolescence has long-term consequences for the physical health of adults,” explains Professor Joseph Allen of the University of Virginia. , co-author of this research.
“From the point of view of risks and prevention, the difficulties in creating close friendships in early adolescence can now be considered as a risk marker for long-term health difficulties”, concludes Professor Joseph. Allen.
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