The power of friendship: The developmental significance of friendships from a neuroscience perspective

Forming and maintaining friendships is one of the most important developmental tasks in adolescence. Supportive high-quality have been related to positive outcomes mental health, both concurrently long term. Friendships also protect against negative effects adverse experiences, such as peer victimization internalizing behaviors. Despite this ample evidence relating well-being, we know relatively little about underlying mechanisms involved. In article, I review brain imaging research on highlight its contribution our understanding how interactions with friends relate well-being. Studies suggest that involve reward motivational processes (involving ventral striatum ventromedial prefrontal cortex), self- other-related mentalizing medial cortex temporoparietal regions). conclude suggestions for neural patterns individual differences psychosocial health.