Brief report: Friendships of adolescents with and without diabetes

Background Friendships of adolescents with chronic illness have been rarely studied. Objective To compare the friendships of boys and girls with diabetes with those between healthy adolescents. Methods One hundred and thirty-eight adolescents were interviewed at summer camps. Participants indicated their number of close friends and rated friendships for support and conflict. Participants described aspects of their same-sex and other-sex friendships that they liked and disliked. Results Adolescents with diabetes have friendships that are similar to those between healthy adolescents, with a few exceptions. Conclusions Emotional support may be especially valued by girls with diabetes, whereas differences among friends may be less valued among adolescents with diabetes.