Adolescent perception of self as a close friend: culture and gendered contexts

Although it is well-recognized that self-perceptions organize and guide behavior, little research has been reported regarding adolescent self-perception as a close friend. The present study describes data from American and Japanese samples of adolescents. Multiple regression analyses found significant predictors of Close Friend Self-Perception scores for American females to be Global Self-Worth, Classmate Support and Close Friend Support, and for American males to be Parent Support, Classmate Support and Close Friend Support. Significant predictors of Close Friend Self-Perception scores for Japanese females were found to be Global Self-Worth and Close Friend Support and for Japanese males to be Athletic Self-Perception, Global Self Worth, and Close Friend Support.