Antipathetic relationships in child and adolescent development: a meta-analytic review and recommendations for an emerging area of study

Abstract

Antipathetic relationships, or relationships based on mutual dislike, have received less attention than other aspects of children's peer relations. The present meta-analytic review summarizes the existing literature (26 studies consisting of over 23,000 children and adolescents) to illuminate the prevalence of antipathetic relationships and their associations with maladjustment. Results indicate that 35% of children have an antipathetic relationship and that antipathetic relationships are associated with externalizing and internalizing problems, low academic achievement, low prosocial behavior, victimization and rejection by peers, and lower positive peer regard (e.g., social preference) and friendships. Gender differences in antipathetic relationships are trivial, and antipathetic relationships are equally often same and mixed gender. Collectively, the findings indicate the importance of studying antipathetic relationships, and several directions for future research are described.