A single supportive close friendship can help young people from low-income backgrounds to thrive in challenging circumstances says new research. Boys' and girls' best friendships are an important source of meaning and strength in the face of substantial adversity said lead researcher Rebecca Graber from University of Sussex in Britain. Young people from low-income areas typically face substantial challenges to good physical health mental health academic achievement and employment. Previous research has linked these challenges to involvement with peers and membership of larger friendship groups - particularly among boys - but has not looked at whether young people's best friendships
