Do Strong Bonds Make Strong People? Exploring the Buffering Role of Close Friendships Against Uncertainty in Emerging Adulthood

Emerging adulthood is a transitional phase between adolescence and adulthood, characterized by relevant developmental challenges including identity exploration, shifting social roles, and career choices. These changes often involve considerable uncertainty, which some individuals manage effectively, while others experience as highly distressing. One factor linked to these differences is intolerance to uncertainty, which has been identified as a relevant risk factor for psychological well-being for emerging adults. Nevertheless, the Stress-buffering Hypothesis suggests that close friendships may serve as a protective factor against life stressors, including uncertainty. This study investigated whether intolerance to uncertainty affects well-being in emerging adulthood and whether friendship closeness moderates the association between intolerance to uncertainty and well-being. A sample of 317 students from the same European student association (mean age = 19.45, 127 boys; 190 girls)...Show moreEmerging adulthood is a transitional phase between adolescence and adulthood, characterized by relevant developmental challenges including identity exploration, shifting social roles, and career choices. These changes often involve considerable uncertainty, which some individuals manage effectively, while others experience as highly distressing. One factor linked to these differences is intolerance to uncertainty, which has been identified as a relevant risk factor for psychological well-being for emerging adults. Nevertheless, the Stress-buffering Hypothesis suggests that close friendships may serve as a protective factor against life stressors, including uncertainty. This study investigated whether intolerance to uncertainty affects well-being in emerging adulthood and whether friendship closeness moderates the association between intolerance to uncertainty and well-being. A sample of 317 students from the same European student association (mean age = 19.45, 127 boys; 190 girls) completed several validated behavioral questionnaires assessing intolerance to uncertainty, quality of life, self-confidence, perceived stress, internalizing behaviors, and externalizing behaviors. Friendship closeness was assessed using sociometric nominations of mutual best friendships. Contrary to expectations, intolerance to uncertainty did not significantly predict any well-being outcomes, and friendship closeness did not moderate any association. However, exploratory analyses revealed a significant positive association between inhibitory anxiety, a sub-component of intolerance to uncertainty, and externalizing behaviors. Although the main hypotheses were not supported, our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of risk and resilience factors in emerging adulthood. Furthermore, they highlight the need to examine specific aspects of uncertainty, such as inhibitory anxiety, and consider other conceptualizations of friendship closeness as potential sources of support during this life stage.Show less

Leiden University Student Repository

Documents

In Collections

Do Strong Bonds Make Strong People? Exploring the Buffering Role of Close Friendships Against Uncertainty in Emerging Adulthood