Interpersonal relationships and emotional distress in adolescence

The aim of this study was to examine positive and negative qualities in
adolescents' interpersonal relationships and their relative importance
in predicting emotional distress. Participants were 260 students from
three schools in the Dublin area (119 girls; 141 boys), aged 12-18 years
(M = 15.32, SD = 1.91). Students completed
questionnaires assessing qualities in important interpersonal
relationships in their lives and emotional distress. Girls reported more
positive qualities in their relationships with mothers and best friends
than boys. Younger students reported more positive qualities in their
relationships with parents than older students. Stepwise multiple
regression analysis revealed high levels of satisfaction in
interpersonal relationships were predictive of low levels of emotional
distress whereas high levels of criticism and exclusion were predictive
of high levels of distress. High levels of support and disclosure were
also linked to emotional distress. These findings and their implications
are discussed in detail.