Sex Differences Partially Moderate the Relationships Between Personal Values and the Preference for Cross-Sex Friendships (Heterosociality)

Abstract

Abstract. A key differentiation in studies on friendship research is between the same-sex and cross-sex friendships of women and men. Although most women and men prefer same-sex over cross-sex friends, most people do commonly have cross-sex friendships, and there are large interindividual differences in the proportions of cross-sex friends in individual friendship networks. Recent studies have suggested that same-sex and cross-sex friendships fulfill different goals for women and men. Therefore, individuals’ personal values (as representations of their enduring goals) may be associated with the types of friendships they prefer. The present study explores associations between personal values and people’s preferences for cross-sex friendships (heterosociality). A sample of 1,333 participants completed the assessment. Results showed that the associations were partially moderated by sex. For men, the value of tradition, whereas for women, the values of security, self-direction, and tradition were found to be significantly associated with the individual proportions of cross-sex friends. These findings contribute to understanding friendship selection and underline the importance of differentiating between same-sex and cross-sex friendships in women and men.