Social Intelligence and Adolescent Peer Relationships: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Understanding the dynamics of adolescent peer relationships is crucial due to their profound impact on overall well-being and development. This study examines the role of social intelligence, as measured by The Tromsø Social Intelligence Scale, in shaping the quality of peer relationships among adolescents, assessed using the Peer Relationship Scale for Adolescents. A sample of 350 adolescents participated, completing measures assessing social intelligence and various aspects of peer relationships, including intimacy, popularity, trust, insightfulness, and overall peer relationship quality (sum total of the Peer Relationship Scale). Correlation analyses revealed robust positive associations between social intelligence and these indicators of peer relationship quality, including intimacy (r = 0.45, p < 0.01), popularity (r = 0.38, p < 0.01), trust (r = 0.50, p < 0.01), insightfulness (r = 0.42, p < 0.01), and overall peer relationship quality (r = 0.55, p < 0.01). Regression analyses further elucidated these relationships, indicating that social intelligence significantly predicts positive peer relationship outcomes (β = 0.55, p < 0.001). These findings underscore the critical role of social intelligence in fostering healthy peer connections during adolescence, with implications for interventions aimed at enhancing social intelligence skills to promote positive peer relationships.