AN EXAMINATION OF FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE FRIENDSHIPS IN YOUNG ADULTS FROM INTACT AND DIVORCED FAMILIES

Abstract

AN EXAMINATION OF FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE FRIENDSHIPS IN YOUNG ADULTS FROM INTACT AND DIVORCED FAMILIES By Stephanie Susanne Genser Wolf, J.D. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2010 Major Director: Arnold L. Stolberg, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology Department of Psychology Specific factors effecting young adult friendship development have been identified by the literature with little focus on which are most influential in determining friendship composition.. Hierarchical regression was used to examine such factors. Participants included 400 undergraduate Psychology students at a state university in the mid-Atlantic region. Findings indicated parental relationships were the strongest predictor of friendship quality. Parent-child bonds, conflict between parents, and emotion regulation skills best predicted levels of intimacy. Parent-child bond-especially with mother-best predicted satisfaction with friendship network as did conflict between parents. In addition, parent-child bond with mother and conflict between parents were found more important than emotion regulation skills although such skills were still found significant. Contrary to predictions life events were not significant to all outcome variables. Instead life events were found significant only to satisfaction with friendship networks. Finally, parental marital status was found significant, but minimally, only for friendship intimacy.