Due to the drastic health benefits of adolescent friendships on adolescent's mental and physical health, there is a need for nursing literature and research regarding the subject. Research would show nurses how to not only support adolescents in the creation and maintenance of their friendships but encourage what to look for in a friend as well.

Syracuse University

The study found that adolescent friendships were defined by support, trust, time, affection, intimacy, and conflict managing ability between two individuals. It found that the length of the attachment or distance (miles) between the individuals was irrelevant. However, the reciprocity of these traits between the two people was significant.

Adolescent Friendships 

Roach, Ashley. “A Concept Analysis of Adolescent Friendship.” Nursing Forum, vol. 54, no. 3, 2019, pp. 328–335., https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12332. 

Since adolescents are so impacted by their quality of friendships mentally and physically, Nurses can use this definition to assess the quality of the friendships in the adolescent's life to help treat the patient. The study advises nurses to inquire regularly about the adolescent's friendships and include them in the treatment plan when needed, due to the health benefits of adolescent friendship.

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