Peer relations of adolescents from nuclear and separated families

Problems of psychosocial adjustment as a consequence of parental separation have mostly been studied concerning aspects of family relations and individual growth. The present study examined peer relations of young people between the ages of 10 and 20 years old who lived in nuclear families, step-families, and single-parent families. Based on the second questionnaire assessment of a longitudinal study conducted in East and West Germany, reports from a total of 637 boys and girls on deviant and constructive peers in their social network as well as on the quality of their relations with best friends were analysed. Findings suggest that peer relations were affected by parental separation only to a minor extent as compared to, e.g. gender- or age-specific effects. A central aspect of friendship quality, however, namely admiration by friends, clearly suffered from conflict between mothers and fathers.