De Modererende Rol van Geslacht in de Relatie tussen de Vriendschapskwaliteit met de Beste Vriend en Alcoholgebruik

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine whether friendship quality with a best friend predicts alcohol use and whether this link is moderated by gender. Friendship quality is defined by the degree of involvement with that friend. To develop more sex-specific interventions for alcohol use, it is important to know if friendship quality with a best friend contributes to alcohol use and if this is different for boys and girls. Data was collected amongst 405 adolescents and their best friend. The ‘Utrecht Management of Identity Commitments Scale’ was used to assess friendship quality and the ‘Substance Use Questionnaire’ was used to assess alcohol use. Results showed that friendship quality with a best friend did not predict alcohol use. Because no relationship was found, gender could not moderate this link. However, gender on its own did predict alcohol use, with boys drinking more alcohol than girls. Moreover, gender and the interaction term of gender and friendship quality were both significant factors in the analysis. Looking Post Hoc, friendship quality with a best friend only predicted alcohol use for boys. The findings regarding friendship quality and the moderating role of gender are in not line with current scientific literature. Implications and recommendations for further research are discussed