ERIC Number: EJ771874
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Sep
Pages: 11
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0895-8017
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Good Friend is Hard to Find: Friendship among Adolescents with Disabilities
Matheson, Catherine; Olsen, Rebecca J.; Weisner, Thomas
American Journal on Mental Retardation, v112 n5 p319-329 Sep 2007
We asked 27 Euro American teens ages 16 to 17 with developmental disabilities in Los Angeles to describe friendships. Eleven characteristics of friendship reported in the research literature (similarity, proximity, transcending context, companionship, reciprocity, mutuality, intimacy, support, trust/loyalty, conflict management, and stability) were mentioned by at least some teens. However, most teens focused on companionship, doing activities across contexts, similarity in interests/personality, sheer proximity, and stability. Gender did not influence number or types of themes reported. Teens with higher IQ/Vineland Communication scores mentioned more friendship themes and were less positive about their friendships. Most teens reported some satisfying friendships, and friendships between peers with developmental disability usually were more stable and positive than friendships with typically developing peers.
Descriptors: Proximity, Literature, Intimacy, Friendship, Conflict Resolution, Developmental Disabilities, White Students, Adolescents, Peer Relationship, Trust (Psychology), Intelligence Quotient, Student Attitudes
American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. P.O. Box 1897, Lawrence, KS 66044-1897. Tel: 785-843-1235; Fax: 785-843-1274; e-mail: AJMR@allenpress.com; Web site: http://aaidd.allenpress.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A