Teen Social Health Linked to Loneliness, Aggression

UC Davis study finds teens with fewer friends, family conflict more likely to be aggressive or victimized

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A new study from the University of California, Davis, has found that teens who are lonely and experience conflict in their home life are more likely to act aggressively toward their peers or become victims of aggression themselves. The study analyzed data from over 10,000 adolescents and identified three distinct social profiles, with lonely teens and those dealing with family conflict showing higher levels of both aggression and victimization.

Why it matters

Understanding the various factors that contribute to teen social health is crucial, as positive peer relationships during adolescence can have long-term impacts on mental health and stress management. This research provides important insights that may help guide future efforts to improve social outcomes for young people.

The details

The study, published in the journal Developmental Psychology, found that teens described as "lonely" were less likely to have a large number of friends and more likely to be both aggressive toward their peers and victims of aggression. Family conflict also played a significant role, with active conflict having a stronger association with aggression and victimization than prior conflict. Gender differences were also observed, with girls more likely to have fewer friends than boys, while boys were more likely to be aggressive or victimized.

  • The study analyzed data collected from 2016 to 2021.
  • The research was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

The players

Myles N. Arrington

The lead author of the study and a post-doctoral fellow at the Teen Experiences, Emotions & Neurodevelopment (TEEN) Lab at UC Davis.

Adrienne Nishina

A professor and chair of human ecology at UC Davis and a co-author of the study.

Camelia E. Hostinar

An associate professor of psychology at UC Davis and a co-author of the study.

Amanda E. Guyer

A professor of human ecology at UC Davis, the principal investigator at the TEEN Lab in the Center for Mind and Brain, and a co-author of the study.

Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study

A large-scale study on brain development and child health supported by the National Institutes of Health, which provided the data used in this research.

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What they’re saying

“Because new peer relationships are a key characteristic of the teenage years, assessing this developmental period is crucial for understanding social health at its foundation.”

— Myles N. Arrington, Lead author and post-doctoral fellow at the TEEN Lab (Mirage News)

“It's important to consider multiple variables together to accurately characterize social health during adolescence. These findings are an important step in identifying the various facets of how adolescents begin to build close relationships with peers.”

— Amanda E. Guyer, Professor of human ecology and principal investigator at the TEEN Lab (Mirage News)

What’s next

The researchers plan to further investigate the specific mechanisms by which family conflict and loneliness contribute to aggressive and victimized behaviors in teens, with the goal of informing interventions to improve social health during this critical developmental period.

The takeaway

This study highlights the complex interplay between social, emotional, and family factors in shaping adolescent social health, underscoring the need for a multifaceted approach to supporting teens' healthy peer relationships and overall well-being.