Associations Between Friendship, Sympathy, and Prosocial Behavior Toward Friends

Keywords

friend relationship, prosocial behavior, adolescent sympathy

Abstract

The current study examined the associations between multiple aspects of the friend relationship (connection, companionship, psychological control) and global prosocial behavior toward friends. Participants included 467 early adolescents (M age of child = 13.32, SD = 1.05, 49% female, 69% European American), and data were collected at two time points, roughly 1 year apart. Structural equation modeling suggested that friend psychological control was negatively associated with prosocial behavior toward friends, while friend connection was positively associated (via adolescent sympathy). Discussion focuses on the friend relationship as an important influence on adolescent sympathy and prosocial behavior toward friends.

Original Publication Citation

Padilla-Walker, L. M., *Fraser, A. M., *Black, B. C., & Bean, R. (2015). Associations between friendship, sympathy, and prosocial behavior toward friends. Journal of Adolescence, 25, 28-35.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2014-02-05

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7741

Publisher

Journal of Research on Adolescence

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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