Self-Report of Close Friends – Version III

The Self Report of Close Friends was developed for the Seattle Social Development Project (O'Donnell, Hawkins & Abbott, 1995). A modified version was used by Fast Track in year 8.  Further revisions were implemented in year 9 and were used through year 13.  Starting in year 14, further revisions were made.

Abstract: The Self Report of Close Friends-Version III measure was adapted from an instrument developed for the Seattle Social Development Project (O’Donnell, Hawkins, & Abbott, 1995). The Fast Track Project original version of this measure was added to the child instrument battery in study year 8. The measure assesses characteristics of students’ best friends’ relationships. In year 8 of the Fast Track Project, students were asked to identify two best friends and answer questions regarding thoughts and feelings about the friend, commitment to the friend, and behaviors by the friend including delinquency, substance use, school motivation and parental attitudes toward the friend. Students were also asked to answer questions about these characteristics for their peer group in general. In year 9 of the Fast Track Project, the measure was revised and used in all years thereafter. Instead of asking about the characteristics for the child’s peer group, the child is now asked about his/her third best friend. The revised version contains a total of 84 questions. The child is asked to answer 28 questions about each best friend, such as “How do you know your best friend,” “Do you enjoy spending time with this person,” and “”Have the two of you ever sold drugs.”  The same questions are repeated for each friend. In year 14, the questionnaire was modified in order to remove questions related to school and relations with Police. Also, questions regarding marijuana and drug use were split, resulting in individual items. Consequently, the scales created in year 14 are fundamentally different than those used in years 13 and before. Longitudinal analyses of these scales are not possible beyond year 13, although scales for years 13 and 14, are comparable.

Who Completed this Measure?: Target Child/Youth (now in adulthood)

Cohort 1 - Administrative History

  • Year 14 | age 19
  • Year 15 | age 20

Cohort 2 - Administrative History

  • Year 14 | age 19
  • Year 15 | age 20

Cohort 3 - Administrative History

  • Year 14 | age 19
  • Year 15 | age 20

Technical Reports:

Raw Dataset Name: cybn

Scored Dataset Name: CCVy

Is this Measure Available for Public Use?: No

Obtain Measure:

Social Development Research Group
9725 3rd Ave., NE
Suite 401
Seattle, WA 98115
Phone: (206) 685-1997
Fax: (206) 543-4507
Email: sdrg@u.washington.edu