Uloga socijalne podrške vršnjaka i vršnjačkih odnosa u usamljenosti predadolescenata i adolescenata
The Role of Peer's Social Support and Peer's Relationships in Preadolescents' and Adolescents' Loneliness

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this research was to examine the relation between loneliness as an emotional correlate of adjustment and peer relationships. The samples consisted of 151 school children, 10 and 12 years old. The research was repeated after two years on the same samples. The initial hypothesis of the investigation was that loneliness is the result of deficient social relations, especially relations with peers in preadolescence and adolescence when the need for intimacy is stressed. According to Sullivan's interpersonal theory, the child satisfies the need for intimacy in interaction with a friend. Therefore the security, love and support which the child gets in its relationship with friends prevents loneliness. Several aspects of the quality of friendship were assessed: friendship quality, perception of social support, reciprocity of friendship and mutuality. The indicator for the quality of loneliness was the feeling of emotional loneliness. The findings suggest significant correlations between emotional loneliness and friendship quality and perception of social support in both measurings. In young children (first measuring) a significant position is taken by other aspects of peer relationships. Perception of social support was a significant predictor of feeling of loneliness in both measurings, and reciprocity of friendship was a significant predictor only in the first measuring. A significant gender difference in friendship relationships and feeling of loneliness was found. It can be concluded that satisfaction with peer relationships has a significant place in the feeling of loneliness, and especially the perception of social support. The findings of this research are discussed within the context of the Interpersonal theory (Sullivan, 1953).

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