Abstract
This research focuses on answering the fundamental aspects of a friendship. It explores the significance of different factors in friendship quality and their real-world implications. Based on recorded interviews collected from Liverpool John Moores University in 2008, a qualitative research design and thematic analysis were employed to examine the data. In the literature review, attachment theory, social support, honest communication, culture and gender differences, and impact on friendship quality were analyzed. Individuals can cultivate and maintain strong and fulfilling friendships by understanding these factors. The thematic issues found during the research were hanging out with friends, sacrifices and connecting with them, qualities of friendship, and efforts to maintain it. The findings have practical applications for those seeking to improve the quality of their relationships with friends.
What is Perceived as Being Important in Friendships?
Friendship is vital to human existence, and its value cannot be ignored. Despite the importance of friendships, there is limited consensus on what qualities make a strong company. Friends are precious to people, so individuals should incorporate efforts to cultivate and sustain them (Amati et al., 2018). It is impossible to generalize what makes a relationship meaningful for different people. Knowing what makes a relationship more robust with other individuals is so crucial. This study employs a qualitative research design and utilizes thematic analysis to analyze interview data collected from Liverpool John Moores University in 2008. This study’s results may have real-world applications for those who want to make and keep solid friendships. The quality of one’s company may be significantly improved by learning to appreciate the same things that one’s friends value most. Friendship is crucial in human life; thus, good qualities must be incorporated to sustain healthy ones.
Literature Review
The Psychological Viewpoint of Friendship
The psychological viewpoint gives an insight into what makes for a good relationship and why. According to attachment theory, an individual’s attachment type significantly influences the quality of their friendships (Roach, 2019). Friendships between secure attachment types tend to be more rewarding and long-lasting than friendships between people with insecure attachment styles (Lu et al., 2021). The quality of one’s friendships may be influenced by events early in life, such as parental bonding (Sheikh, 2018). Strong companies in adulthood are more common among those with satisfying interpersonal partnerships as children. Better friendships may be formed when people know the impact of their attachment types and formative experiences.
Communication Viewpoint of Friendship
From a communicational standpoint, it is clear that being open and honest with friends is crucial to their development and fulfillment. Researchers have discovered a correlation between sharing personal information and enjoying friendships (Leibowitz, 2018). Generally speaking, the closer two people feel to one another, the more personal information they share with their friends (Leibowitz, 2018). Cultural context, gender, and individual differences affect how much people share information in friendships. An awareness of these variables may significantly enhance one’s ability to manage friendships and communicate successfully with friends.
Social Support in Friendship
The quality of a friendship may be significantly impacted by the social support its members get from one another. According to research, those with solid social support tend to have lower stress levels and better mental health (Mak et al., 2018). Offering friends emotional support means being there for them and sharing their feelings through difficult times. According to Narr et al. (2017), strong friendship positively correlates with good psychological status. Friendships are strengthened via informational assistance when people are provided direction and help in need. People may improve the quality of their companies by learning about the many forms of social support and the roles they play.
Cultural Viewpoint of Friendship
The way people relate and interact varies with culture globally. Cultural viewpoint maintains that friendships are crucial to maintaining social order and cohesion in collectivistic societies (Bell & Coleman, 2020). In these societies, upholding social obligations and showing group loyalty are very important. Friendship quality is determined not by individuals’ wants but by the group. Gender theory explains how men and women interact socially differently. Compared to males, women are more likely to converse regularly with their friends (Çakmak & Yavuz, (2020). Women are more open with their friends about their lives than males are, who are more prone to keep their troubles to themselves. A deeper and more fulfilling connection may result from an individual’s ability to navigate and communicate across the gender gap.
The literature review relates to the topic of study as it gives some of the essential elements to be encompassed in friendships. It reveals that friendship quality is influenced by individuals’ psychological, communicative, cultural, and gender viewpoints. Successful friendships need an understanding of attachment theory, positive formative experiences, and honest, open dialogue. Women tend to concentrate on one-on-one interactions and emotional support, while males prioritize group activities. Friendships may be strengthened and enjoyed more when both parties take the time to learn and appreciate these points of view.
Research Question
What is perceived as being important in friendships?
Method
Participants and Recruitment
Tanya Corker and Alasdair Gordon-Finlayson conducted the interviews at Liverpool John Moores University in the Spring of 2008. The interviews aimed to enable participants to talk at length about their experiences of friendships. Three participants, Alexander, Trevor, and Deborah, were selected for the study. To maintain anonymity, these were not the actual names of the participants. Handouts were distributed across the institution, inviting students who had experienced friendship to participate in the study. The handouts included information about the study’s goal, inclusion criteria, and contact information for the researchers. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit participants for this study
Data Collection
Recorded interviews were the data collection instrument that was used for the study. The interviews lasted between 46 and 63 minutes, with a mean of 54 minutes. Alasdair, Tanya, and Tanya interviewed Alexander, Trever, and Deborah for 50, 57, and 54 minutes, respectively. The interview schedule could be downloaded separately from the website. The files available for download consisted of the video and audio recordings of the interviews, separated into segments of approximately 15 minutes in length each.
Table 1: Interview details
Data Analysis
The thematic analysis uses qualitative analytic methods to identify, analyze, and report patterns (themes) within data. In this study, Microsoft Word was used for data analysis. It followed a step-by-step approach, beginning with generating initial codes, searching for themes, defining and naming them, and producing an extensive report. The research question focused on what is perceived as necessary for friendship. The analysis identified several themes related to this question, including the importance of spending time with friends, establishing connections via various means, the need for sacrifices to maintain friendships, and the essential qualities of friendship.
Ethics
Before any interviews were conducted, all participants gave their informed permission for inclusion in the research. All participants received comprehensive information about the study’s design, goals, and methods and were made aware of their ability to discontinue participation at any time (Iphofen & Tolich, 2018). During the interviews, participants were kept anonymous, and their identities were kept secret. By giving each participant a random identifier, the researcher could ensure their privacy and anonymity and that only the research team had access to the data we obtained. This research was conducted per the Ethical Standards of Psychologists and the Code of Conduct of the American Psychological Association. Risks to participants were assessed and mitigated to an acceptable level, and no deceit or coercion was used during the research.
Discussion
Having supportive friends and companions is crucial to maintaining a healthy mental state and emotions. Making and maintaining friendships is rewarding and essential for psychological health (Ng‐Knight et al., 2018). Some examples of social activities that unite people include eating, hobbies, playing sports, and taking trips. While it takes time and energy, the benefits of a close connection are well worth the investment. To thrive socially, keeping contact with friends and family is essential (Slepian & Kirby, 2018). Social media and other digital networks facilitate constant communication between geographically separated people (Pouwels et al., 2021). Users can feel more connected by exchanging digital media such as photos, messages, and status updates and engaging in digital interactions like video calls and virtual hangouts. Physical contact is irreplaceable, but technology has opened new channels for keeping in touch.
A solid and enduring relationship requires dedication and the willingness to make sacrifices from both parties. Creating time for one another, adjusting positions on controversial matters, and sticking by each other through tough times are all the sacrifices that healthy relationships need (Coetzee et al., 2019). Sometimes, friends must compromise their desires or interests for their companion’s development and contentment. The willingness to give up something meaningful for a friend is a sign of true friendship and may enhance their tie.
Strong friendships are characterized by trust, loyalty, support, understanding, respect, and tight interactions. Mutual trust requires constant dependability and open communication between friends (Afshordi & Liberman, 2020). Loyalty encourages friends to accommodate the issues affecting them through the good and bad times. For two people to reach an understanding, they must listen to one another without passing judgment and consider the issue from the other’s point of view (Dunbar, 2018). A fundamental aspect of respect is recognizing and honoring one another’s right to their ideas, emotions, and space. On the other hand, a deep friendship is built on a foundation of shared interests and experiences and the formation of lasting memories (Roach, 2018). Friendships characterized by these traits are long-lasting, supportive, and mutually beneficial.
Thematic analysis is a popular approach to qualitative research due to its many benefits. It permits in-depth dataset analysis, and incorporating interviews allows for gathering insightful and personable information (Castleberry & Nolen, 2018). The weakness of this study was that the sample size was small, with only three participants, yet friendship is a global issue. Politicians should support funding initiatives to encourage people to form and maintain meaningful relationships with others since it impacts people’s emotional and mental health (Samara et al., 2019). Lastly, future research should expand on the results of this study by investigating the elements that contribute to establishing and maintaining solid friendships across age groups, cultures, and situations.
Conclusion
This qualitative theme analysis results have crucial implications for establishing healthy and lasting friendships. These insights might help people understand the traits and sacrifices essential for forming and sustaining great friendships. In communities, the results may guide the creation of initiatives or programs targeted at treating social isolation or loneliness, especially among vulnerable populations such as the elderly or those with disability. Future studies should investigate the characteristics that contribute to establishing and maintaining various friendships and the influence of social media and digital platforms on friendship patterns.
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