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The Role of Spatial Context in Shaping Adolescents’ Peer Relationships

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  • Mats Beckmann

    (Zentrum für interdisziplinäre Regionalforschung (ZEFIR), Ruhr University Bochum, Germany)

  • Katharina Knüttel

    (Zentrum für interdisziplinäre Regionalforschung (ZEFIR), Ruhr University Bochum, Germany)

  • Sören Petermann

    (Zentrum für interdisziplinäre Regionalforschung (ZEFIR), Ruhr University Bochum, Germany / Faculty of Social Science, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany)

  • Till Stefes

    (Faculty of Social Science, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany)

Abstract

This article explores the role of neighbourhoods as a spatial context for peer relationships among adolescents. We examine the correlations between neighbourhood composition and places suitable for young people for friendship intimacy and peer belonging. We hypothesise that favourable demographic and social neighbourhood compositions, knowledge, and use of places suitable for young people, as well as the spatial appropriation of such places, promote peer relationships. The present study carries out empirical testing of the spatial hypotheses with survey data from adolescents (N = 3225) in two German cities with 30 neighbourhoods. Our results show that neighbourhood composition is not related to peer relationships. Nevertheless, knowledge of safe places suitable for adolescents, as well as the appropriation of unsupervised (hang out) places, correlate with peer relationships. Interestingly, there are divergent results for 7th and 9th graders that can be explained by the developmental stages of the adolescents.

Suggested Citation

  • Mats Beckmann & Katharina Knüttel & Sören Petermann & Till Stefes, 2022. "The Role of Spatial Context in Shaping Adolescents’ Peer Relationships," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 10(3), pages 262-272.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:socinc:v:10:y:2022:i:3:p:262-272
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    References listed on IDEAS

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