Patterns of confiding relationships among adolescent girls.

In a community population of girls aged between 15 and 20 years, a sample of 142 girls provided information on their confiding relationships. A clear preference emerged for using other girls and women as problem solvers and intimate confidants. Mothers were the most usual first-named problem solver, but intimate confiding was affected by the quality of the mother-daughter relationship. Confiding in fathers was rare. From ages 15 to 18 girlfriends were the most commonly cited intimate confidant, with mothers and sisters in second place. At age 19 boyfriends were the most frequent intimate and instrumental confidants.