Early Adolescent Experiences of Friendships

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of early adolescent girls regarding friendships, peer relations and stress. Ten early adolescent girls (aged 12-13 years) were interviewed using a semi-structured qualitative format. A grounded theory process was utilized. The research results identified that the participants experien-ced both a sense of belonging, as well as acts of exclusion from friends. The participants reported that they do experience stress and it is mainly regarding friends, boys, and parents. A number of character strengths were identified, including friendship as a protective factor, empathy, and optimism. This study is grounded in a Positive Youth Development Framework. This strength based framework is identified, and implications for future research and social work practice are discussed.