Sexually and gender diverse adolescents' friendships: What is to gain from a social network perspective?

This chapter explores the significance of friendships in the lives of sexually and gender diverse (SGD) adolescents. Studying friendships in the lives of SGD adolescents is highly relevant as they help adolescents to acquire the social and emotional skills necessary for normative development and as friendships are particularly salient for people when their identity is at odds with social norms. First, this chapter will focus on why friendships are beneficial for the well-being of SGD adolescents, specifically focusing on social support, the need to belong, and identity development. Second, it will discuss whether SGD adolescents have similar access to friendships compared to their heterosexual, cisgender peers. Last, a social network perspective is advocated, emphasizing egocentric and sociocentric network analyses to enhance our understanding of how friendships’ can affect SGD adolescents’ well-being.