Adolescents who perceived themselves as the same as their friends had the best outcomes.
Mental health and interpersonal difficulties were lowest in adolescents the same as their friends. For example, those adolescents aged 11 who perceived themselves as the same as their friends romania rcs data were victimised less and bullied other children less, had lower peer problems and difficulties with externalising behaviour, such as conduct problems and hyperactivity, and reported higher well-being than both adolescents who perceived themselves as poorer and those who perceived themselves as richer.
Therefore, for some outcomes, one possibility is that adolescents who feel economically different from their friends might think that this could risk their group belonging, which is related to distress and negative feelings.
The figure shows (A) well-being and (B) self-esteem scores for each perceived income inequality amongst friends (PIIAF) group, including richer (red), equal (green), poorer (blue) or I don’t know (purple). Those who perceive themselves as poorer than their friends show lower average scores compared to other groups. Those who perceive themselves as the same as their friends show highest well-being scores.