Adolescence is a critical period for an increase in depressive symptoms. It is also a time when increased importance of of peers and, in particular, of friends, become a primary source of social support. Friends have a strong influence on each other’s health and mental health outcomes. Prior research indicates that adolescents’ levels of depressive symptoms predict their friends’ levels of depression over time, in a process called depression contagion. This could also work for happy or excited moods.

Dr. Bastin and her colleagues are examining the extent to which adolescent/best friend communication processes contribute to changes in mood and affect. Investigators are using a process called ecological momentary sampling whereby they will prompt an adolescent and their best friend several times/day to track their moods and activities throughout the day.