NEWS
Bahraini Youth Spend 53% of Social Time With Peers, Valuing Transparency in Friendships Dr. Al-Junaid: “Bahrain’s Culture and Upbringing Naturally Foster Strong Bonds of Friendship in Adolescents
A scientific study at the University of Bahrain found that teenagers in Bahrain enjoy high-quality friendships, as they are transparent and honest in forming connections with others and spend more than half of their time with peers.
The study, prepared by Dr. Sheikha Ahmed Al-Junaid, Head of the Department of Psychology at the College of Arts and Associate Professor of Psychology at the university of Bahrain, revealed that while adolescents enjoy strong friendships, their level of tolerance is average. Tolerance, a mental skill, develops with experience and personal growth.
Titled “The Quality of Friendship and its Relationship with Tolerance in a Sample of Adolescents at the University of Bahrain,” the study examined 120 adolescents in grades eight through eleven, aged 14 to 18 years. Using a descriptive-correlational approach, the research suggested the development of guidance programs aimed at enhancing tolerance and its related dimensions in children and adolescents.
Dr. Sheikha Al-Junaid explained that the quality of friendship is a deep, evolving relationship that plays a significant role in self-esteem and social adaptation skills. Tolerance, she added, is the ability to accept the behavior and beliefs of others, even when they differ from one’s own.
The study aimed to assess the quality of friendships among the adolescents, measure their tolerance levels, and explore the relationship between these two factors. It also highlighted the growing importance of friendship during adolescence, as the time spent with family members is limited. Adolescents spend about 19% of their time with family, compared to 52% with peers (classmates and friends). The remaining 27% of their time is spent alone or with other adults, such as employers (2%). As a result, friendships are an essential form of peer relationship during this stage of life.
The research also pointed out that the Bahraini environment, culture, and upbringing play a significant role in fostering the love of friendship among adolescents. These factors contribute to the dedication to maintaining friendships.
Dr. Sheikha Ahmed Aljunaid emphasized that the study helps to understand the relationship between the quality of friendship and tolerance in adolescents. It also aids in designing programs that can cultivate these traits among young people. The study provides valuable psychometric tools for the Arab world, particularly for Bahrain.
According to the study’s findings, no significant relationship was found between tolerance and the quality of friendship or its sub-dimensions, such as intimate exchange, quality of advice, quality of help, warmth of friendship, and transcending relationships. This suggests that tolerance may not yet be fully developed among adolescents.
The study recommended developing guidance programs to improve tolerance and its dimensions in children and adolescents. It also suggested further research into tolerance from the perspectives of both the abuser and the abused, as well as the growth and development of tolerance and related concepts such as forgiveness. Additionally, the study called for exploring the impact of friendship quality on students’ academic performance.
