Similarity in gender and self-esteem for supportive peer relationships : the mediating role of cooperative goals

The present study investigated whether cooperative goals mediate the relationship between similarity in gender and self-esteem and social support and relationship quality in ongoing peer dyads. Based on data collected from 209 student dyads, the findings largely support the mediating role of cooperative goals. However, the study found that gender similarity was positively related while self-esteem similarity was negatively related to cooperative goals and relationship quality of peer dyad members.