Allen, P. J., Uchino, B. N. & Hafen, C. A. (2015). Running With The Pack: Teen Peer-Relationship Qualities as Predictors of Adult Physical Health

Question 1

What is the article about?

Answer 1

This study assessed the qualities of adolescent peer relationships as predictors of physical health quality in adulthood.

Question 2

What inspired the research questions in the article?

Answer 2

We know that adolescents are, much more than other age groups, very conformist. This is true in Western Culture as well despite the cultural bias toward individualism. Non-conformity in adulthood is likely associated with increased risks to health. We know that failure to establish supportive relationships in adulthood is a health risk.

Question 3

Which three hypotheses were examined in the study?

Answer 3

1. Long-term physical health quality should be predicted by peer-reported adolscent close-friendship quality and adolescent allocentric behavior with peers.
2. Links from adolescent peer-relationship qualities to adult health should be potentially mediated by
   adult anxiety and depressive symptoms
   3- Predictions should remain even after one accounts for a broad range of potential third-variable
   confounds.

Question 4

What were the results from the study?

Answer 4

Physical health quality in adulthood was robustly predicted by independent reports of early-adolescent close-friendship quality and by a pattern of acquiescence to social norms in adolescent peer relationships. Predictions remained after accounting for numerous potential confounds, including prior health problems, concurrent body mass index, anxious and depressive symptoms, personality characteristics, adolescent-era financial adversity, and adolescent-era physical attractiveness.

Question 5

Mention the limitations of the study.

Answer 5

1. Direct causal conclusions cannot be inferred from these data. . Indeed, it is plausible that the measured factors were indicators of adolescent propensities linked to a range of social behaviors that may have combined to influence health outcomes
2. Adolescent-era health problems were reported retrospectively, which may have added bias to this measure.