Abstract
This study examined other-sex crush experiences (both having and being perceived as an other-sex crush) among 544 young adolescents (mean age = 12.74 years). Results indicated that 56% had at least one current other-sex crush, with little overlap between crushes, friends, and boyfriends/girlfriends. Significant associations between other-sex crush scores (scores reflecting the number of crush nominations received) and physical attractiveness, relational aggression, physical aggression, and popularity, as reported by same-sex and other-sex peers, were found. In addition, crush scores were (a) associated with same-sex likeability for boys (but not girls) and (b) uniquely related to peer nominations of popularity and physical attractiveness, as reported by other-sex peers. Neither having nor being perceived as an other-sex crush was uniquely related to loneliness. Taken together, the findings suggest that other-sex crushes are normative experiences during early adolescence that warrant further research attention.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 629-643 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Journal of Experimental Child Psychology |
| Volume | 111 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 2012 |
Keywords
- Adolescence
- Aggression
- Crushes
- Loneliness
- Peer relationships
- Psychosocial adjustment
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