Suhs Madeleine C, Bryant Breana L, Hilderbrand Taylor L, Holmbeck Grayson N
Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
J Pediatr Psychol. 2025 Jun 1;50(6):479-487. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsaf020.
To evaluate associations between peer relationship factors (i.e., quality and quantity) and mental and physical health outcomes in youth with spina bifida (SB).
One hundred and forty youth with SB (Mage = 11.43; 53.6% female) were recruited as part of a larger longitudinal study. Families of youth with SB were invited to ask the child's closest friend to participate. The study included questionnaire (youth- and parent-report) and observational peer interaction data.
Observational peer interaction data were associated with mental and physical health in youth with SB. The number of friends was negatively associated with withdrawn/depressed behavior. Self-reported friendship quality and peer emotional support were not associated with physical health outcomes in youth with SB. However, peer emotional support was positively associated with emotional quality of life.
Friendship quality, particularly observed peer interaction characteristics, was associated with better mental and physical health adjustment. The quantity of friendships was not associated with physical health outcomes but was associated with mental health outcomes. Findings have implications for clinical interventions geared toward improving social functioning in youth with SB.
评估同伴关系因素（即质量和数量）与脊柱裂（SB）青少年身心健康结果之间的关联。
招募了140名患有SB的青少年（平均年龄=11.43岁；53.6%为女性）作为一项更大规模纵向研究的一部分。患有SB的青少年的家庭被邀请让孩子最亲密的朋友参与。该研究包括问卷调查（青少年和家长报告）以及观察性同伴互动数据。
观察性同伴互动数据与患有SB的青少年的身心健康相关。朋友数量与退缩/抑郁行为呈负相关。自我报告的友谊质量和同伴情感支持与患有SB的青少年的身体健康结果无关。然而，同伴情感支持与生活情感质量呈正相关。
友谊质量，特别是观察到的同伴互动特征，与更好的身心健康调整相关。友谊的数量与身体健康结果无关，但与心理健康结果相关。研究结果对旨在改善患有SB的青少年社会功能的临床干预具有启示意义。
