Affective and behavioral responses to friends who neglect their friends for dating partners: influences of gender, jealousy and perspective.

Adolescents in the ninth grade (n=75) responded to a hypothetical situation involving an individual who neglects their friend as a result of their transition to steady dating. Results indicated that 53 per cent of girls and 32 per cent of boys reported past personal exclusion by their best friend who they perceived to be preoccupied by a romantic partner. Only 21 per cent of girls and 19 per cent of boys reported that they had ignored their best friend in the past while being preoccupied by a romantic partner. There were significant differences in emotional reactions of individuals depending on their gender, level of characteristic jealousy, and the perspective taken in the jealousy triangle. Analyses of suggested behavioral responses revealed a significant difference in verbosity depending on emotional reactions, gender, and level of characteristic jealousy. In general, the strategies adolescents' recommended for handling this situation were constructive, active responses that convey a continuing commitment to the relationship. Copyright 2001 The Association for Professionals in Services for Adolescents.