Adolescents Interpersonal Relationships

By Craig Rogers

Adolescents and their interpersonal relationships are extremely important in the grand scheme of their march toward adulthood.  Adolescence is a time when young people experience a wave of emotions, with periods of hope and high expectations mixed with periods of anxiety and depression.  Sometimes, adolescents can experience intense feelings of loneliness, rejection, and confusion.

Interpersonal relationships affect how adolescents feel in regard to belonging (family, friends, and boy or girl friends.  The most important aspect of interpersonal relationships are focused upon feelings of belongingness and loneliness (which includes the fear of rejection). This includes both family and friends.

Quality Interpersonal Relationships and Adolescents

Quality in relationships has everything to do with predictability, safety, and assurance of acceptance (unconditional acceptance).  Knowing that your parents or your best friend will stick with you, even when you are struggling, is extremely important to overall adolescent development.  Problems come about when the adolescent struggles with loneliness (feels all alone, misunderstood, or not accepted by important people [parents and friends]).