Early Adolescent Experiences of Friendships, Peer Relations, and Stress

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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.