Importancia del clima familiar y la experiencia de pareja en las relaciones de amistad adolescentes

Abstract

In this work we study the connection existing between relations of friendship in late adolescence and other social contexts. Specifically, we try to know the compensatory or complementary role played by friends in relation to the family, and the possible interference of dating relationships in friendship network. In a sample of 600 adolescents we assessed various characteristics of friendship network (number of friends, satisfaction, closeness, ...), and the intimacy with one's best friend. Family environment (cohesion, expressiveness, and conflict) and parental support were the family variables used; and the number of past dating relationships, present situation, status, duration, and satisfaction felt by the relationship, were the variables of couple. The results showed that the females had less friends, but more close and intimate than the males. Furthermore, family environment and parental support were associated with positive characteristics of the friendship network, specially in the males. Finally, the males and females who had a dating relationship valued more their friendship relations. These results are discussed in terms of a complementary model of relations.