Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Who's the Boss? Patterns of Perceived Control in Adolescents' Friendships

  • Published:
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study examined the nature and correlates of different patterns of perceived control in adolescents' relationships with their best friends. Participants included firstborn adolescents (M = 14.94 years), their younger siblings (M = 12.44 years) and both their mothers and fathers in 163 families as well as a best friend of each adolescent (M = 15 years). Data were collected from family members during home visits regarding adolescents' family relationships, friendships, and psychosocial adjustment; time use data were gathered during a series of 7 nightly phone interviews. Information was obtained from best friends during a brief phone interview. We developed a typology of 3 different patterns of perceived friendship control based on the combination of adolescents' and their best friends' ratings of relational control. Patterns of control in adolescents' friendships were associated with the distribution of control in both parents' marriages and adolescents' sibling relationships. Further analyses, designed to test developmental predictions, revealed connections between friendship control and other qualities of adolescents' friendships (i.e., intimacy, conflict, perspective-taking).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Bank, B. J. (1994). Effects of national, school and gender cultures on friendships among adolescents in Australia and the United States Youth Soc. 25: 435–456.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berndt, T. J. (1982). The features and effects of friendship in early adolescence. Child Dev. 53: 1447–1460.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berndt, T. J. (1994). Intimacy and competition in the friendships of adolescent boys and girls. In Stevenson, M. R. (ed.), Gender Roles Through the Life Span.Ball State University, Muncie, IN, pp. 89–110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berndt, T. J., Hawkins, J. A., and Hoyle, S. G. (1986). Changes in friendship during a school year: Effects on children's and adolescents' impressions of friendship and sharing with friends. Child Dev.57: 1284–1297.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berndt, T. J., and Perry, T. B. (1990). Children's perceptions of friendships as supportive relationships. In Montemayor, R., Adams, G. R., and Gullotta, T. P. (eds.), From Childhood to Adoloescence: A Transitional Period? Sage, Newbury Park, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bigner, J. J. (1974). Secondborns' discrimination of sibling role concepts. Dev. Psychol. 10: 564–573.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bliezner, R. (1994). Feminist perspectives of friendship: Intricate tapestries. In Sollie, D. L., and Leslie, L. A. (eds.), Gender, Families, and Close Relationships: Feminist Research Journeys. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA, pp. 120–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blyth, D. A., and Foster-Clark, F. (1987). Gender differences in perceived intimacy with different members of adoloescents' social networks. Sex Roles 17: 689–718.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boyum, L. A., and Parke, R. D. (1995). The role of family expressiveness in the development of children's social competence. J. Marriage Fam. 57: 593–608.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryant, B. K., and DeMorris, K. A. (1992). Beyond parent-child relationships: Potential links between family environments and peer relationships. In R. D. Parke and G. W. Ladd (eds.), Family-Peer Relationships: Modes of Linkage. Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ, pp. 159–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buhrmester, D. (1992). The developmental courses of sibling and peer relationships. In Boer, F., and Dunn, J. (eds.), Children's Sibling Relationships: Developmental and Clinical Issues. Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bumpus, M. F., Crouter, A. C., & McHale, S. M. (2001). Parental autonomy grantir during adolescence: Exploring differences in context. Developmental Psychology 57: 163–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cairns, R. B., and Cairns, B. D. (1994). Lifelines and Risks: Pathways of Youth in our Time. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caspi, A., and Elder, G. H., Jr. (1988). Emergent family patterns: The intergenerational construction of problem behaviour and relationships. In Hinde, R. A., and Stevenson-Hinde, J. (eds.), Relationships Within Families: Mutual Influences. Claredon Press, Oxford, pp. 218–240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences. Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, C. R., and Cooper, R. G. (1992). Links between adolescents' relationships with their parents and peers: Models, evidence, and mechanisms. In Parke, R. D., and Ladd, G. W. (eds.), Family-Peer Relationships: Modes of Linkage. Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ, pp. 135–158.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crouter, A. C., Manke, B. A., and McHale, S. M. (1995). The family context of gender intensification. Child Dev. 66: 317–329.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crouter, A. C., Bumpus, M. F., Head, M. R., McHale, S. M. (2001). Implications of overwork and overload for the quality of men's family relationship.Journal of Marriage and the Family 63: 404–416.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Devins, G. M., and Orme, C. M. (1985). Center for epidemiologic studies depression scale. In Keyser, D. J., and Sweetland, R. C. (eds.), Test Critiques. Test Corporation of American, Kansas City, MO, pp. 144–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dornbusch, S., Carlsmith, J. M., Bushwall, S. J., Ritter, P. L., Leiderman, A. H., Hastorf, A. H., and Gross, R. T. (1985). Single parents, extended households, and the control of adolescents. Child Dev. 56: 326–341.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, J. (1993). Young Children's Close Relationships: Beyond Attachment. Sage, Newbury Park, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, J., Stocker, C., and Plomin, R. (1990). Nonshared experiences within the family: Correlates of behavioral problems in middle childhood. Dev. Psychopathol. 2: 113–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eccles, J. S., and Barber, B. (1990). Risky behavior measure. Unpublished scale, University of Michigan.

  • Ferree, M. M. (1990). Beyond separate spheres: Feminism and family research. J. Marriage Fam. 52: 866–884.

    Google Scholar 

  • Furman, W. (2001). Working models of friendships. J. Soc. Pers. Relat. 18: 583–602.

    Google Scholar 

  • Furman, W., and Buhrmester, D. (1985). Children's perceptions of the qualities of sibling relationships. Child Dev. 56: 448–461.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Furman, W., and Buhrmester, D. (1992). Age and sex differences in perceptions of networks of personal relationships. Child Dev. 63: 103–115.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gold, M., and Yanof, D. S. (1985). Mothers, daughters, and girlfriends. J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 49: 654–659.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harris, J. R. (1995). Where is the child's environment? A group socialization theory of development. Psychol. Rev.102: 458–489.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harter, S. (1988). Manual for the Self-Perceptions Profile for Adolescents. University of Denver, CO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartup,W.W. (1993). Adolescents and their friends. In Laursen, B. (ed.), Close Relationships in Adolescence. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, pp. 3–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huston, T., and Robins, E. (1982). Conceptual and methodological issues in studying close relationships.J. Marriage Fam. 44: 901–925.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knight, G. P., and Kagan, S. (1982). Siblings, birth order, and cooperative-competitive social behavior: A comparison of Anglo-American and Mexican-American children. J. Cross Cult. Psychol. 13: 239–249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kochanska, G. (1992). Children's interpersonal influence with mothers and peers. Dev. Psychol. 28: 491–498.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larson, R., and Richards, M. H. (1991). Daily companionship in late childhood and early adolescence: Changing developmental contexts. Child Dev. 62: 284–300.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laursen, B. (ed.) (1993). Close Friendships in Adolescence. (Vol. 60, Summer 1993). Jossey-Bass, San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, C., & Kiren, G. (1977). You can't have your cake and eat it too: Some considerations of the error term. Psychological Bulletin 84: 1150–1154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maccoby, E. E. (1990). Gender and relationships. Am. Psychol. 45: 213–220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maccoby, E. E. (1998). The Two Sexes: Growing Up Apart, Coming Together. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald, K. B., and Parke, R. D. (1984). Bridging the gap: Parent-child play interaction and peer interactive competence. Dev. Psychol. 23: 705–711.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maguire, M. C. (1999). Treating the dyad as the unit of analysis: A primer on three analytic approaches. J. Marriage Fam. 61: 213–223.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCartney, S. A., and McKelvie, S. J. (1985). Dominance-submission in students and their partners as a function of parental dominance. Psychol. Rep. 57: 1327–1334.

    Google Scholar 

  • McHale, S. M., Crouter, A. C., & Bartko, W. T. (1992). Traditional and egalitarian patterns of parental involvement: Antecedents, consequences, and tempor rhythms. In D. Featherman, R. Lerner, & M. Perlmutter (Eds.), Life-Span Development and Behavior, Vol. II (pp. 49–81). New York: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • McHale, S. M., Updegraff, K. A., Tucker, C. J., & Crouter, A. C. (2000). Step in or stay out? Parents' roles in adolescent siblings' relationships. Journal of Marriage and the Family 62: 746–760.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paikoff, R. L., and Savin-Williams, R. C. (1983). An exploratory study of dominance interactions among adolescent females at a summer camp. J. Youth Adolesc. 12: 419–433.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parke, R. D., and Buriel, R. (1998). Socialization in the family: Ethnic and ecological perspectives. In Eisenberg, N. (ed.), Handbook of Child Psychology: Vol. 3. Social, Emotional, and Personality Development (5th edn.). Wiley, New York, pp. 463–552.

    Google Scholar 

  • Piaget, J. (1932). The Moral Judgement of Child (2nd edn.). Routledge & Kegan Paul, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Putallaz, M. (1987). Maternal behavior and children's sociometric status. Child Dev. 58: 324–340.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogosa, D., and Willett, J. (1985). Understanding differences in change by modeling individual differences in growth. Psychometrika 50: 203–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosnow, R., and Rosenthal, R. (1989). Statistical procedures and the justification of knowledge in psychological science. Am. Psychol. 44: 1276–1284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rovine, M. (1994). Estimating nonshared environment using sibling discrepancy scores. In Hetherington, E. M., Reiss, D., and Plomin, R. (eds.), Separate SocialWorlds of Siblings: The Impact of Nonshared Environment on Development Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ, pp. 33–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Savin-Williams, R. C. (1976). An ethological study of dominance formation and maintenance in a group of human adolescents. Child Dev. 47: 972–979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Savin-Williams, R. C. (1979). Dominance hierarchies in groups of early adolescents. Child Dev. 50: 923–935.

    Google Scholar 

  • Savin-Williams, R. C. (1980). Social interactions of adolescent females in natural groups. In Foot, H. C., Chapman, A. J., and Smith, J. R. (eds.), Friendship and Social Relations in Children. Wiley, New York, pp. 343–364.

    Google Scholar 

  • Selman, R. L. (1980). The Growth of Interpersonal Understanding: Developmental and Clinical Analyses. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stets, J. (1995a). Modeling control in relationships. J. Marriage Fam. 57: 489–501.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stets, J. (1995b). Job autonomy and control over one's spouse: A compensatory process.J. Health Soc. Behav. 36: 244–258.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stocker, C., and McHale, S. M. (1992). The nature and family correlates of preadolescents' perceptions of their sibling relationships. J. Soc. Pers. Relat. 9: 179–195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, H. S. (1953). The Interpersonal Theory of Psychiatry.Norton, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Updegraff, K. A., McHale, S. M., and Crouter,A.C. (2002). Adolescents' sibling relationships and friendships: Developmental patterns and relationship associations. Soc. Dev. 11: 182–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Updegraff, K. A., McHale, S. M., Crouter, A. C., and Kupanoff, K. (2001). Parents' involvement in adolescents' peer relationships: A comparison of mothers' and fathers' roles. J. Marriage Fam. 63: 655–668.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veniegas, R. C., and Peplau, L. A. (1997). Power and the quality of same-sex friendships. Psychol. Women Q. 21: 279–297.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wentzel, K. R., and Feldman, S. S. (1996). Relations of cohesion and power in family dyads to social and emotional adjustment during early adolescence. J. Res. Adolesc. 6: 225–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Youniss, J. (1980). Parents and Peers in Social Development. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Kimberly A. Updegraff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Heather M. Helms
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Susan M. McHale
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ann C. Crouter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Shawna M. Thayer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Lara H. Sales
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Updegraff, K.A., Helms, H.M., McHale, S.M. et al. Who's the Boss? Patterns of Perceived Control in Adolescents' Friendships. Journal of Youth and Adolescence 33, 403–420 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOYO.0000037633.39422.b0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOYO.0000037633.39422.b0

Search

Navigation