Brief Report: Friendships of Adolescents with and without Diabetes

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Friendships of adolescents with chronic illness have been rarely studied. OBJECTIVE: To compare the friendships of boys and girls with diabetes with those between healthy adolescents. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-eight adolescents were interviewed at summer camps. Participants indicated their number of close friends and rated friendships for support and conflict. Participants described aspects of their same-sex and other-sex friendships that they liked and disliked. RESULTS: Adolescents with diabetes have friendships that are similar to those between healthy adolescents, with a few exceptions. CONCLUSIONS: Emotional support may be especially valued by girls with diabetes, whereas differences among friends may be less valued among adolescents with diabetes.