Adolescents’ relationships with family and friends: A social connectedness approach to the Peruvian experience during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Connections with caregivers and friends undergo significant changes during adolescence, which are crucial for the formation of psychosocial identity and overall well-being. This study examines the importance of social connectedness among Peruvian adolescents, emphasizing the need to consider both the quantity and quality of these relationships. Social connectedness was explored among 32 adolescents, between 15 and 17 years of age, who were participants in the project “Being an adolescent in Peru”. This was done through in-depth interviews, taking into account factors such as region, academic performance and gender. The results were presented in two themes: expectations and evaluations of relationships in adolescents. This for each of the domains: family and friends. Moreover, while adolescents value their relationships with caregivers, the COVID-19 pandemic increased physical proximity but diminished the quality of these bonds. With respect to peer relationships, the pandemic limited interactions to a virtual, superficial, and infrequent level. The return to in-person interactions was positively perceived, particularly in relation to friends relationships, emphasizing the importance of interaction quality. These findings highlight the complexity of relationships in times of crisis and underscore the need to differentiate between the quantity and quality of interactions to promote healthy development and well-being.