Friendships and Social Networks in Childhood and Adolescence: Fluidity, Reliability, and Interrelations

Abstract

Tracked social networks and friendships over a 3-week period for 132 fourth graders and seventh-graders. Found that, when loose criteria for stability were employed, high stability was found in friendships and social group membership. However, when stringent criteria were employed, only modest social relationship stability was observed. (MDM)