Abstract
This study examines the relationship between parental divorce, family conflict and characteristics of the friendship network. It also evaluates the contributions of family and network characteristics to the prediction of friendship satisfaction and loneliness. College students from divorced ( n = 113) and intact families ( n = 96) reported on the friendship network characteristics (size, affective experiences and supportive behaviors), family conflict, friendship satisfaction and loneliness. The results indicate that the experience of parental divorce has limited effect on the characteristics and functioning of the friendship network. The more important developmental experience is that of family conflict since higher levels of family conflict appear to compromise network size and the affective quality of the friendships and to heighten the experience of loneliness. The pattern of results also supports a mediational model of the impact of family experiences on friendship satisfaction. This study demonstrates the importance of considering both past familial experiences and the characteristics of the network in order to understand the current functioning of close personal relationships.
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