Maya Massing-Schaffer1, Jacqueline Nesi2,3, Eva H Telzer1, Kristen A Lindquist1, Mitchell J Prinstein1. 1. Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 2. Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. 3. Bradley Hasbro Research Center, Rhode Island Hospital.
Abstract
Objective: This study examined characteristics of online-only friendships among suicidal and non-suicidal adolescents. In addition, the extent to which adolescents' online-only friendships may offer a protective function, buffering the effects of peer stressors (i.e., friendship stress, relational victimization) on prospective suicidal ideation, was examined.Method: Adolescents aged 10 to 14 (n = 630) were assessed at baseline (Time 1) and one-year follow-up (Time 2). Measures of suicidal ideation, sociometric relational victimization, friendship stress, depressive symptoms, online-only friendship status and quality, and online-only friendship quality compared to in-person friendship quality, were obtained at Time 1 using sociometric procedures and self-report questionnaires. Self-report measures of suicidal ideation were collected at Time 2. Results: Descriptive results suggested that online-only friendships are relatively common among youth (38.3%), particularly for those experiencing suicidal ideation (46.3%). Suicidal and non-suicidal adolescents reported comparable levels of intimate disclosure within their online-only friendships. Although adolescents without suicidal ideation endorsed more support from in-person friendships, suicidal adolescents endorsed similar levels of support from their online-only and in-person friendships. Moderation analyses indicated that the association between both relational victimization and friendship stress and prospective suicidal ideation was attenuated among youth who reported having one or more online-only friend. Conclusion: Online-only friendships are common and may offer protective benefits for youth, particularly those experiencing suicidal ideation. Future studies should examine the specific mechanisms by which online-only friendships may confer this benefit.
Objective: This study examined characteristics of online-only friendships among suicidal and non-suicidal adolescents. In addition, the extent to which adolescents' online-only friendships may offer a protective function, buffering the effects of peer stressors (i.e., friendship stress, relational victimization) on prospective suicidal ideation, was examined.Method: Adolescents aged 10 to 14 (n = 630) were assessed at baseline (Time 1) and one-year follow-up (Time 2). Measures of suicidal ideation, sociometric relational victimization, friendship stress, depressive symptoms, online-only friendship status and quality, and online-only friendship quality compared to in-person friendship quality, were obtained at Time 1 using sociometric procedures and self-report questionnaires. Self-report measures of suicidal ideation were collected at Time 2. Results: Descriptive results suggested that online-only friendships are relatively common among youth (38.3%), particularly for those experiencing suicidal ideation (46.3%). Suicidal and non-suicidal adolescents reported comparable levels of intimate disclosure within their online-only friendships. Although adolescents without suicidal ideation endorsed more support from in-person friendships, suicidal adolescents endorsed similar levels of support from their online-only and in-person friendships. Moderation analyses indicated that the association between both relational victimization and friendship stress and prospective suicidal ideation was attenuated among youth who reported having one or more online-only friend. Conclusion: Online-only friendships are common and may offer protective benefits for youth, particularly those experiencing suicidal ideation. Future studies should examine the specific mechanisms by which online-only friendships may confer this benefit.
Authors: Jacqueline Nesi; W Andrew Rothenberg; Alexandra H Bettis; Maya Massing-Schaffer; Kara A Fox; Eva H Telzer; Kristen A Lindquist; Mitchell J Prinstein Journal: J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol Date: 2021-08-23
Authors: Jacqueline Nesi; Taylor A Burke; Alexandra H Bettis; Anastacia Y Kudinova; Elizabeth C Thompson; Heather A MacPherson; Kara A Fox; Hannah R Lawrence; Sarah A Thomas; Jennifer C Wolff; Melanie K Altemus; Sheiry Soriano; Richard T Liu Journal: Clin Psychol Rev Date: 2021-05-08