Friends to the Rescue: How Social Support Shields Teens from Psychotic Experiences

Rhea Morgan in Mind & Education December 2025 • 5 min read.

"Unpacking the power of friendships in protecting vulnerable adolescents."

Adolescence is a period of significant social and emotional development, but it can also be a time of increased vulnerability to mental health challenges. Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), such as hallucinations or delusions, are more common in adolescence than previously thought, and while many young people who experience PLEs do not go on to develop a full-blown psychotic disorder, these experiences can still be distressing and impairing.

Understanding the factors that protect adolescents from the negative impacts of PLEs is crucial for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies. One of the most important protective factors is social support, particularly from friends. Supportive friendships provide a sense of belonging, validation, and practical assistance, which can help adolescents cope with stress and navigate difficult experiences.

Recent research has shed light on the specific ways in which friendships can buffer against the negative effects of PLEs, especially for adolescents who have experienced adversity, such as bullying or trauma. This article unpacks the key findings of this research, exploring how gender differences play a role and offering practical insights for parents, educators, and mental health professionals.

The Power of Friendship: A Shield Against Psychotic Experiences

Teenagers walking together, protected by friendship.

A study published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology investigated how social support from friends can protect adolescents from PLEs, particularly among those who have experienced poly-victimization (i.e., multiple forms of victimization). The researchers found that high levels of social support from friends were associated with a lower likelihood of experiencing PLEs, even after accounting for the effects of poly-victimization.

The study also revealed important gender differences. For girls, social support from friends was particularly protective against PLEs. This may be because girls tend to rely more on their friendships for emotional support and validation. For boys, while social support from friends was still beneficial, it was not as strongly associated with a reduction in PLEs as it was for girls.

Emotional Support: Friends provide a safe space to share feelings and experiences, reducing stress and anxiety.
Validation and Belonging: Friendships offer a sense of acceptance and connection, combating feelings of isolation.
Practical Assistance: Friends can offer help with schoolwork, problem-solving, and navigating difficult situations.
Positive Role Models: Supportive friends can encourage healthy behaviors and discourage risky ones.

These findings highlight the critical role that friendships play in the mental health and well-being of adolescents. By providing emotional support, validation, and practical assistance, friends can help young people cope with stress and adversity, reducing their risk of experiencing PLEs.

Building Stronger Social Connections: Practical Implications

The research underscores the importance of fostering positive social connections for adolescents, especially those who have experienced adversity. Parents, educators, and mental health professionals can play a vital role in promoting supportive friendships and creating environments where young people feel safe, valued, and connected.

Here are some practical strategies for building stronger social connections among adolescents: Encourage participation in extracurricular activities: Sports, clubs, and other activities provide opportunities for young people to meet like-minded peers and develop shared interests. Create opportunities for social interaction: Schools and community organizations can organize social events and activities that promote interaction and connection among adolescents. Teach social skills: Some young people may need help developing the social skills necessary to build and maintain friendships. Social skills training can teach adolescents how to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and build positive relationships.

By investing in the social and emotional well-being of adolescents, we can help them build the resilience they need to navigate challenges and thrive. Supportive friendships are a powerful tool in protecting young people from the negative impacts of PLEs and promoting positive mental health.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s00127-018-1620-0, Alternate LINK

Title: Correction To: Girls Get By With A Little Help From Their Friends: Gender Differences In Protective Effects Of Social Support For Psychotic Phenomena Amongst Poly-Victimised Adolescents

Subject: Psychiatry and Mental health

Journal: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Eloise Crush, Louise Arseneault, Helen L. Fisher

Published: 2018-11-02

Everything You Need To Know

What are Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), and why are they a concern during adolescence?

Psychotic-like experiences, or PLEs, are experiences similar to those seen in psychosis, such as hallucinations or delusions. While common in adolescence and often transient, PLEs can be distressing and negatively impact well-being, even if they don't develop into a full psychotic disorder. Understanding and addressing factors that influence PLEs is crucial for adolescent mental health.

In what specific ways do supportive friendships help protect adolescents from Psychotic-like experiences?

Supportive friendships provide several key benefits that can act as a buffer against Psychotic-like experiences, or PLEs. These benefits include emotional support, where friends offer a safe space to share feelings; validation and belonging, which combat feelings of isolation; practical assistance, such as help with schoolwork or problem-solving; and positive role modeling, where friends encourage healthy behaviors. The combination of these factors helps adolescents cope with stress and adversity, reducing their risk of experiencing PLEs.

What did the study published in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology reveal about the relationship between social support and Psychotic-like experiences in teens?

The study in Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology found that high levels of social support from friends were associated with a lower likelihood of experiencing Psychotic-like experiences, particularly among adolescents who have experienced poly-victimization, meaning multiple forms of victimization. This suggests that strong friendships can help mitigate the negative effects of adversity on mental health.

Are there any gender differences in how social support from friends affects Psychotic-like experiences?

The study indicated gender differences in how social support from friends impacts Psychotic-like experiences, or PLEs. For girls, social support was particularly protective, possibly because girls tend to rely more on friendships for emotional support and validation. While still beneficial for boys, social support from friends wasn't as strongly linked to a reduction in PLEs as it was for girls. This highlights the importance of considering gender when promoting social connections as a mental health strategy.

What practical steps can be taken by parents, educators, and mental health professionals to build stronger social connections and reduce Psychotic-like experiences in adolescents?

To foster positive social connections and reduce Psychotic-like experiences, or PLEs, parents, educators, and mental health professionals should create safe and supportive environments where adolescents feel valued and connected. This can involve encouraging open communication, facilitating peer support groups, promoting healthy social activities, and providing resources for addressing bullying and trauma. It is important to recognize the protective role of friendships, especially for those who have experienced adversity.