Mixed-gender friendships in early adolescence linked to substance abuse among girls

By Staff Writer

New research indicates that girls who form close friendships with boys during early adolescence may be at risk of developing substance abuse problems.

The study, which appears in the Journal of Research on Adolescence, suggests that girls and boys deal with mixed-gender friendships very differently. The report is based on an examination of nearly 400 adolescents, 58 percent of whom are girls, over a seven-year period. The participants were between the ages of 12 and 18.

Researchers found that girls who exhibited antisocial behavior and early pubertal maturation started hanging out with boys earlier than other girls. In addition, a lot of these female participants formed friendships with older male students. These girls were more likely to start abusing drugs and alcohol at an earlier age than girls who had same-sex friends during this time.

The team surmised that teenage girls gain more access to unhealthy substances when they hang out with boys. In addition, romantic relationships in this age group also may contribute to an increase in negative decision-making.

Adolescents who abuse alcohol or drugs may benefit from boarding schools, many of which are designed to provide help for troubled teens.