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You’ve got a friend: young people help each other with their mental health for 3.5 hours every week

By Benjamin Hanckel, Amelia Henry, Erin Dolan & Jasbeer Musthafa Mamalipurath, Reprinted from The Conversation Young people experience mental health difficulties at a higher rate than any other age group. While there’s ongoing discussion about the formal supports they need, young people say they’re most likely to speak with peers and friends – particularly when […]

How to talk to kids about race and foster interracial friendships

Posted by Marc Chalufour-Boston U., Reprinted from Futurity New research shows that kids who read a story that suggested prejudice could change—that it can be shaped by individual experiences—were more interested in interacting with children of another race. The researchers conclude that their findings highlight a promising way of “sustaining positive interracial relationships during a […]

The power of Black female friendships in predominantly White colleges

Leath, S., Mims, L., Evans, K. A., Parker, T., & Billingsley, J. T. (2022). “I can be unapologetically who I am”: A study of friendship among Black undergraduate women at PWIs. Emerging Adulthood, 10(4), 837–851.  https://doi.org/10.1177/21676968211066156 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest:  Evidence shows that Black students attending predominantly White institutions (PWIs) experience on-campus […]

How do social belonging and peer friendships develop for diverse first-generation college students?

Salusky, I., Monjaras-Gaytan, L., Ulerio, G., Forbes, N., Perron, G., & Raposa, E. (2022). The formation and role of social belonging in on-campus integration of diverse first-generation college students. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 15210251221092708. https://doi.org/10.1177/15210251221092709 Summarized by Ariel Ervin Notes of Interest:  ​​First-generation college students (FGCS) are less likely to obtain […]

Many can help more than one: New research highlights benefits of multiple social connections for bullied youth

Posted by Andrew Trounson, futurity.org Having a group of friends to rely on appears to buffer children from the emotional hurt bullying causes better than a single “best” friend, a new study of more than 1,200 primary school children and their parents suggests. “A group of friends appears to protect the mental health of bullied […]

New research determines how long it takes to make a friend: Implications for mentors and programs

Posted by Rick Hellman, futurity.org It takes more than 200 hours before someone can be considered a close friend, according to a new study that explores how long it typically takes to move through the deepening stages of friendship. That means time spent hanging out, joking around, playing video games, and the like, says Jeffrey […]

Just what the doctor ordered: Quality relationships promote good health

By Emily Sohn, Washington Post Overwhelmed recently by the stress of an impending move — along with the usual demands of a busy life — I turned to the people I love. In small chunks of time between tasks on my to-do list, I called and texted with my sister, my parents, local friends and […]

New research explores children’s peer group dynamics

Posted by Rachel Griess-Texas on January 5, 2016 The threat of ostracism leads children to imitate group behaviors as a way to get back in the “in-group,” according to psychologists. Previous studies indicate that excluded adults will mimic behaviors of others to increase “liking and rapport” in an attempt to be re-included; new research suggests children are […]

New Study Suggests Adolescent Friendships Linked to Adult Health

Tom Jacobs, Pacific Standard For most people, adolescence is a period of life marked by intense friendships, as well as a strong bias toward conformity. Fitting in with our peers is an urgent need, and we’re generally willing to damp down our individuality in order to do so. Newly published research suggests there is a […]