The power of friendship: The developmental significance of friendships from a neuroscience perspective

Berna Güroğlu

doi:10.1111/cdep.12450

journal article Open Access Apr 29, 2022

The power of friendship: The developmental significance of friendships from a neuroscience perspective

Berna Güroğlu

Child Development Perspectives Vol. 16 No. 2 pp. 110-117 · Oxford University Press (OUP)

View at Publisher Save 10.1111/cdep.12450

Abstract

Abstract
Forming and maintaining friendships is one of the most important developmental tasks in adolescence. Supportive and high-quality friendships have been related to positive developmental outcomes and mental health, both concurrently and in the long term. Friendships also protect against negative effects of adverse experiences, such as peer victimization and internalizing behaviors. Despite this ample evidence relating friendships to well-being, we know relatively little about the underlying mechanisms involved. In this article, I review brain imaging research on friendships and highlight its contribution to our understanding of how interactions with friends relate to well-being. Studies suggest that friendships involve reward and motivational processes (involving the ventral striatum and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex), and self- and other-related mentalizing processes (involving the medial prefrontal cortex and the temporoparietal regions). I conclude with suggestions for research on how neural patterns relate to individual differences in psychosocial outcomes and mental health.

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Metrics

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Citations

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References

Details

Published: Apr 29, 2022
Vol/Issue: 16(2)
Pages: 110-117
License: View

Authors

B

Berna Güroğlu

Leiden University , Leiden ,

Funding

Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Award: VENI 451-10-021

Cite This Article

Berna Güroğlu (2022). The power of friendship: The developmental significance of friendships from a neuroscience perspective. Child Development Perspectives, 16(2), 110-117. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12450

The power of friendship: The developmental significance of friendships from a neuroscience perspective

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