Friendship Satisfaction Research Articles

Heterogeneity in happiness: A latent profile analysis of single emerging adults.

Whether attending college, entering the workforce, or finding a romantic partner, single emerging adults navigate a pivotal stage of their lives. The present cross-sectional study sought to examine the heterogeneity in happiness of single emerging adults (N = 1,073) with a person-centered, group-differential approach. Using five predictors of life satisfaction (friendship satisfaction, family satisfaction, self-esteem, neuroticism, and extraversion) as indicators in latent profile analysis (LPA), we identified five distinct profiles (or groups) of young singles. The profiles, ordered from favorable to unfavorable indicator patterns, presented diverse shape and level differences that corresponded to varying happiness levels. Singles in Profile 1 with the most favorable indicator patterns (e.g., high friendship satisfaction, low neuroticism) were the happiest, while those in Profile 5 with the least favorable indicator patterns (e.g., low friendship satisfaction, high neuroticism) were the unhappiest. In the middle profiles, singles often offset disadvantages in one area (e.g., high neuroticism) with advantages in others (e.g., high friendship satisfaction) to achieve average to somewhat high levels of happiness. Importantly, friendship satisfaction emerged as a vital indicator, often distinguishing which singles were happy or not. Covariate analyses further validated the profiles and revealed additional profile differences (e.g., gender, anxiety, depression). Overall, our findings underscore the essential role of satisfying friendships in promoting the well-being of single emerging adults.

Sharing is caring: The positive role of smartphone co-use in social dynamics

Smartphones are increasingly present during the exchanges we have with others in real life. Such co-present smartphone use has mainly been examined from a negative perspective, and research has insufficiently recognized the positive role these behaviors may play in social relationships. The main goal of the current study was therefore to offer insight into the processes by which smartphone co-use may be related to positive social dynamics during in-person interactions. Data were collected through two cross-sectional studies among 1) in Austria ( N = 257, Mage = 32.84, SDage = 13.97, 55.9% female) and 2) in Belgium ( N = 180, Mage = 10.79, SDage = 0.66, 54% female) in 2022. Results from Study 1 indicated a significant indirect relationship between co-use and friendship satisfaction mediated through emotional support and companionship. Only for male participants, the relationship between smartphone co-use and perceived companionship was evident. Study 2 further indicated that this relationship was mediated through increased companionship and perceived emotional support for male participants, but not for female participants. As such, the current study offers an important first step in exploring the positive role co-present smartphone use can play in social relationships among different generations.

The effects of a happiness class group intervention on college freshmen’s well-being

Abstract From the perspective of positive psychology, this paper attempts to explore the effect of happiness class group intervention counseling on the happiness intervention of first-year college students through the form of group counseling and the design of appropriate group activity programs using the training methods advocated by positive psychology. Taking first-year college students as the research object, designing group activities with happiness as the theme, carrying out group psychological counseling, and utilizing a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the differences in changes in the dimensions of happiness of first-year college students before and after the happiness class group intervention. The differences between the two happiness scores in demographic variables were compared, and a t-value test was conducted for the two happiness scores. Combined with members’ evaluation of the happiness class group intervention, the effect of the happiness class group intervention on the happiness of first-year college students was verified. The results show that there is no significant difference between the experimental group and the control group in the dimension of family satisfaction, p>0.05. There are substantial differences between the experimental group and the control group in the dimensions of school satisfaction, academic satisfaction, friendship satisfaction, freedom satisfaction, and environment satisfaction, p<0.05.

IMPACT OF FRIENDSHIP NETWORK SATISFACTION ON EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND LIFE SATISFACTION AMONG FEMALE ADULTS

This study investigates the impact of friendship network satisfaction on emotional intelligence and life satisfaction among female university students. Conducted at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, the research involved 200 participants, utilizing the Friendship Network Satisfaction Scale (FNSS), Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) to assess key variables. The study adopted a cross-sectional design, employing descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression modeling for data analysis. Results revealed a significant positive relationship between friendship network satisfaction and both emotional intelligence and life satisfaction. Higher levels of friendship satisfaction were associated with enhanced emotional intelligence, suggesting that fulfilling social connections play a crucial role in developing emotional competencies. Similarly, students reporting greater satisfaction with their friendship networks exhibited higher life satisfaction, underscoring the importance of supportive peer relationships for overall well-being. The findings indicate that fostering satisfying friendships can be an effective strategy for enhancing emotional and life outcomes among university students.

Life satisfaction and L2 engagement in adolescents

Abstract The study examined how L2 engagement is associated with students’ general life satisfaction, a core element of well-being. A total of 1,109 seventh-grade EFL learners from a rural secondary school in China completed a measure of life satisfaction (family satisfaction, environment satisfaction, academic satisfaction, school satisfaction, freedom satisfaction, and friendship satisfaction) and a measure of foreign language engagement (cognitive engagement, emotional engagement, behavioural engagement, and social engagement). Path analysis shows that life satisfaction generally predicted L2 engagement positively. Variations were found in the associations between six life satisfaction dimensions and four L2 engagement dimensions. A positive psychology lens is adopted to interpret the findings and make concrete suggestions about how to enhance learner engagement. The findings imply that a proactive preventative stance on bolstering engagement could be encouraged such as fostering learners’ positive perceptions and beliefs of self, family, school, environment, study, and friends.

Disentangling potential causal effects of educational duration on well-being, and mental and physical health outcomes.

Extensive research has focused on the potential benefits of education on various mental and physical health outcomes. However, whether the associations reflect a causal effect is harder to establish. To examine associations between educational duration and specific aspects of well-being, anxiety and mood disorders, and cardiovascular health in a sample of European Ancestry UK Biobank participants born in England and Wales, we apply four different causal inference methods (a natural policy experiment leveraging the minimum school-leaving age, a sibling-control design, Mendelian randomization [MR], and within-family MR), and assess if the methods converge on the same conclusion. A comparison of results across the four methods reveals that associations between educational duration and these outcomes appears predominantly to be the result of confounding or bias rather than a true causal effect of education on well-being and health outcomes. Although we do consistently find no associations between educational duration and happiness, family satisfaction, work satisfaction, meaning in life, anxiety, and bipolar disorder, we do not find consistent significant associations across all methods for the other phenotypes (health satisfaction, depression, financial satisfaction, friendship satisfaction, neuroticism, and cardiovascular outcomes). We discuss inconsistencies in results across methods considering their respective limitations and biases, and additionally discuss the generalizability of our findings in light of the sample and phenotype limitations. Overall, this study strengthens the idea that triangulation across different methods is necessary to enhance our understanding of the causal consequences of educational duration.

The relationship between mental health and stress: the moderating role of satisfaction with friendships

ABSTRACT Objective Stress contributes to higher occurrences of mental health problems, and satisfactory friendships can ease the stress-related emotional states. However, mental health is much more than the absence of symptoms of psychological disorders and includes aspects of well-being. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between positive mental health, perceived stress, and friendship satisfaction. Method This cross-sectional study included 555 participants aged 18-60. Data on positive mental health, stress, and friendship satisfaction were collected using validated questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, hierarchical regression, and moderation analyses were conducted. Results A significant negative correlation between stress and positive mental health was found. Stress and friendship satisfaction were identified as significant predictors of positive mental health variance. Additionally, friendship satisfaction demonstrated a moderating effect, indicating that higher satisfaction levels were associated with more positive ratings of mental health, regardless of stress levels. Discussion The findings of this study may have clinical implications for mental health professionals, and practitioners. The importance of addressing both stress management and the quality of friendships in promoting positive mental health is presented.

Personality is related to satisfaction in friendship dyads, but similarity is not: Understanding the links between the big five and friendship satisfaction using actor-partner interdependence models

Friendship is a central part of human life. However, little is known about how personality traits are related to satisfaction with friendships. Using an Actor-Partner-Interdependence framework, we analyzed actor, partner, partner perception, and similarity effects on friendship satisfaction in 190 friendship dyads. Agreeableness, extraversion, and emotional stability were positively related to an actor’s friendship satisfaction (actor effect). The actor’s agreeableness was positively linked to the friend’s friendship satisfaction (partner effect). People who described their friends as open, extraverted, or conscientious experienced higher satisfaction (partner perception effect). Yet, indices of trait-wise and profile similarity were not related to friendship satisfaction. The findings highlight that personality is relevant for understanding happiness in close relationships for both actors and their friends.

Effect of a mental health education intervention on children's life satisfaction and self-confidence in rural China.

Children living in rural areas may potentially experience low levels of life satisfaction and face challenges in developing self-confidence. The purpose of the current study was to examine the impact of a mental health education intervention on the life satisfaction and self-confidence of children residing in rural areas of China. A total of 1,001 children from grades 4 to 6 were randomly assigned to an intervention group (475 children, 250 boys, M = 11.57 years, SD = 1.082 years) and a control group (526 children, 279 boys, M = 11.38 years, SD = 0.980 years). Over 16 weeks, the intervention group received a mental health education program, while the control group did not. The levels of life satisfaction (including five dimensions: family, school, environmental, friends, and self-satisfaction) and self-confidence (including three dimensions: self-efficacy, self-assurance, and self-competence) were rated by all children at baseline and post-intervention. Results from paired samples t-test showed that post-intervention, the intervention group exhibited significant improvements in the areas of family, environmental, school, and self-satisfaction as well as self-efficacy, self-assurance, and self-competence. However, there was no significant improvement in friend satisfaction. Conversely, the control group showed decreases in school, environmental, and friend satisfaction, along with decreases in self-efficacy, self-assurance, and self-competence. No significant change was observed in family and self-satisfaction in this group. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing mental health education interventions for rural children, who are at risk for low life satisfaction and self-confidence. Some specific recommendations are provided for policymakers and practitioners.

Children's subjective well-being and the protective role of friendships, school satisfaction and neighborhood in the face of peer victimization

The aim of this study is to analyze childreńs subjective well-being (SWB) and the protective role of contextual factors (satisfaction with friends, with school and in the neighborhood) as well as the influence of individual aspects (gender and age) in the face of peer victimization. For this purpose, 325 Brazilian students aged 10–12 years from public (83 %) and private (17 %) schools in the State of Rio de Janeiro participated by answering a self-report questionnaire containing socio-demographic questions and psychometric scales that were part of Children's Worlds, the International Survey of Children's Well-Being – ISCWeB. SWB was measured by using the CW-SWBS: Children's Worlds Subjective Well-Being Scale. Contextual factors were assessed through items in the same scales used in the survey. A hierarchical multiple regression was used to analyze the role of peer victimization, along with individual and contextual factors in the variability of CW-SWBS scores. The results of the final model highlighted that girls had lower levels of well-being than boys (β = -0.22) and older children also had lower levels of SWB when compared to younger peers (β = -0.19). Furthermore, the positive contextual factors reduce the consequences of victimization. The most important effect was the friend satisfaction (β = 0.33; p < 0.001), school satisfaction (β = 0.26; p = 0.001) and satisfaction with neighborhood (β = 0.20; p < 0.001) – which suppressed the negative effects of victimization (β = 0.01; p = 0.858). The findings give support to the interdependence of positive individual and contextual factors to promote well-being at different developmental system levels according to the bioecological theory of human development.

A socio‐ecological context moderates the association between communication skills and friendship satisfaction: Possible role of relational mobility

AbstractGood communication skills facilitate successful interpersonal relationships. However, the specific communication skills (encoding and decoding) required for establishing friendships can vary depending on aspects of the social context. We conducted a two‐wave longitudinal study in Japan to investigate the adaptive value of communication skills in different socio‐ecological contexts (i.e., different stages of university life). New college students are immersed in a high‐level relational mobility environment, where they have a greater range of options for forming new relationships and leaving old ones. Conversely, students beyond their second year experience less relational mobility. Cross‐lagged analyses indicated a positive association between decoding skill and friendship satisfaction 3 months later for senior students, who are likely to be in an environment characterised by low relational mobility. However, for first‐year students in a high‐relational‐mobility environment, the association was negative, supporting our hypothesis. Conversely, encoding skill did not demonstrate an association with satisfaction 3 months later. However, it was positively associated with satisfaction at each time point. Another cross‐lagged analysis revealed that satisfying relationships helped improve encoding skills. We further explore the socio‐ecological aspects related to the adaptive value of communication skills.

Co-present smartphone use, friendship satisfaction, and social isolation: The role of coping strategies

Constant reliance on smartphones has resulted in frequent interruptions of face-to-face interactions. In the present study, we focused on three instances of co-present smartphone use: phubbing, i.e., using smartphones during in person social interactions with friends; being phubbed, i.e., being ignored by conversation partners due to smartphone use; and co-use, i.e., sharing and using the smartphone together with friends. Taking into account the moderating role of direct and avoidant coping strategies, we tested associations between co-present smartphone use, friendship satisfaction, and social isolation. We conducted a survey among late adolescents and young adults who are active smartphone users (N = 840). Results revealed no association between phubbing and friendship satisfaction, however, both phubbing and being phubbed were positively associated with social isolation. An avoidant coping strategy further strengthened the association between being phubbed and social isolation. Being phubbed was inversely associated with friendship satisfaction, a relationship which was stronger only for those with lower levels of a direct coping strategy. As expected, co-use positively related to friendship satisfaction and negatively to social isolation. We discuss the findings in the context of negative consequences of phubbing and being phubbed, while emphasizing the importance of co-use in fostering friendship satisfaction and reducing social isolation. Furthermore, the role of coping strategies in moderating these associations underscores the need for targeted interventions to address the smartphone-related challenges in social settings.

수정IPA를 이용한 관광 특성화고 재학생 교육만족도 연구

This study aims to find out the education satisfaction of students at tourism-specialized high schools using Revised-IPA. Therefore, a survey was conducted on students enrolled in specialized tourism high schools. As a result of the study, first, special lectures inviting experts, teacher competencies, friendship satisfaction, and participation in class activities were considered important. Second, satisfaction with major selection and school meals was considered important, but the satisfaction was low. Third, both importance and satisfaction were low in satisfaction with educational expectations and improvement of confidence in the major. Fourth, providing chances for major experience activities, major clubs, and basic learning ability improvement led to high satisfaction, but the importance was low. Fifth, gender differences in education satisfaction were small. Sixth, education satisfaction by grade was similar to the overall Revised-IPA results. Based on the results, we suggest follow-up research on the operation of curricula and programs, and the establishment of an educational environment.

Happily ever after for coupled and single adults: A comparative study using latent profile analysis

Many people believe that “living happily ever after” involves finding a romantic partner. Regardless, it seems obvious that at least some single people are happier than some coupled people. But how likely is it, and what factors predict whether singles will be as happy as their coupled peers? The present paper addressed these questions via a secondary analysis of an existing cross-sectional dataset ( N = 2,000) of coupled ( n = 1,438) and single ( n = 562) adults. We identified 10 candidate predictors of life satisfaction, seven of which were significant in multiple regression models. Using the seven significant predictors as indicators in latent profile analysis (LPA), we identified four distinct profiles (or groups) of coupled adults and six distinct profiles of single adults. We then further conceptualized these profiles in terms of interpersonal indicators (friend satisfaction, closest friend intimacy, family satisfaction, and romantic satisfaction) and intrapersonal indicators (self-esteem, perceived stress, and physical health). Some profiles had very favorable levels of interpersonal and intrapersonal indicators and some had very unfavorable levels, while several profiles fell in between the two extremes with a range of nuances. Overall, people with favorable levels were happier than those with unfavorable levels—regardless of their relationship status, but disadvantages in one area (e.g., self-esteem) could be offset by advantages in another area (e.g., friendship satisfaction). Most importantly, in comparing single and coupled profiles directly, we found that the vast majority of single adults follow a range of life satisfaction patterns (from happy to unhappy) that is nearly identical to that of their coupled peers.

Does the Experience of Being Phubbed by Friends Affect Psychological Well-Being? The Mediating Roles of Loneliness, Relationship Satisfaction, and Self-Esteem

Phubbing is so common that many probably think it is harmless. Past research found that phubbing partners indirectly affected their well-being. The current study was aimed at investigating whether phubbing friends is also indirectly related to their well-being. A total of 457 smartphone users attempted an online survey from which 202 complete responses were included in the final analysis. The questionnaire contained measures of the experience of being phubbed by friends, psychological well-being, loneliness, friendship satisfaction, and self-esteem. A mediation analysis revealed a significant indirect effect of being phubbed by friends on psychological well-being, through the mediating roles of loneliness and relationship satisfaction and the sequential mediating roles of loneliness and self-esteem, and relationship satisfaction and self-esteem. Being phubbed by friends was associated with an increase in the phubbed friends’ levels of loneliness and a decrease in their levels of friendship satisfaction and, as a result, in a worsening of their psychological well-being. An increase in levels of loneliness or a decrease in levels of friendship satisfaction was also negatively associated with self-esteem and, in turn, with psychological well-being. These findings extend past research on partner phubbing by establishing new pathways between the experience of being phubbed by friends and psychological well-being. Overall, this study contributes important insights into friends’ use of smartphones in face-to-face settings by highlighting the psychological mechanism that explains the relationship between being phubbed by friends and the phubbed individuals’ psychological well-being.

Friends in Sync? Examining the Relationship Between the Degree of Nonverbal Synchrony, Friendship Satisfaction and Support

Friends in Sync? Examining the Relationship Between the Degree of Nonverbal Synchrony, Friendship Satisfaction and Support

Aphasia and friendship: Stroke survivors’ self-reported changes over time

IntroductionFriendships are an important contributor to quality of life. Due to communication and other stroke-related challenges, people with aphasia (PWA) can experience negative friendship changes, which have been linked with increased physiological distress. This study examined friendship experiences over time for PWA to understand how friendships evolve throughout the course of stroke and aphasia recovery. MethodsFifteen stroke survivors with chronic aphasia completed language testing and a friendship questionnaire created by the researchers. The friendship questionnaire was composed of open and closed-ended questions that asked PWA to reflect back on their friendship satisfaction, support, activities, and communication during the time before aphasia and during the acute stage of recovery. The questionnaire also addressed their current friendships in the present-day chronic stage of recovery, as well as questions about an ideal friendship. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to examine the data, with quantitative findings reported in this study. ResultsThe majority of PWA reported maintaining some friendships and developing new friendships, often with a fellow stroke survivor with aphasia; however, a few PWA in this study were not able to maintain or develop any new friendships. Average ratings of perceived friendship satisfaction and support improved from the acute to chronic stage, nearing those of the ratings pre-stroke, yet there was greater variability in the chronic stage with some currently feeling dissatisfied and not well supported. Aphasia severity, as measured by a standardized assessment, had a negative relationship with perceived friendship support. In contrast, perception of communicative participation had a positive relationship with friendship support. ConclusionsThis work highlights lasting social implications of aphasia. The overall health of PWA deserves greater attention, including interventions targeting friendship maintenance and development. Continued stakeholder-engaged research and clinical practice focused on the social and emotional consequences of aphasia on PWA, as well as their friends and family, is needed to assist all involved in aphasia recovery achieve better friendships and well-being.

The Association Between Personality Traits and Friendship Satisfaction among Undergraduates of Universities in Colombo District, Sri Lanka

Background: Humans aspire to establish fulfilling friendships because the overall quality of friendship predicts psychological well-being. The quality of friendships can predict happiness, yet it can also be linked to unpleasant situations like conflict and betrayal. Many people, however, find it difficult to establish lasting and fulfilling connections. Objective: The main objective of the present study is to determine the relationship between personality traits and friendship satisfaction among undergraduates in the Colombo area. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduates in the Colombo area. A sample of 144 undergraduates completed an online questionnaire comprising the Big Five Personality Inventory (BFI) and McGill Friendship Satisfaction Questionnaire. The linear regression analysis was carried out using SPSS version 26. Results: The sample included 93 females (64.6%), and 50 males (34.7%) aged between 20 to 40 years (Mean age - 24±2.7). The results revealed a significant correlation between extraversion (r = +0.336, p&lt;0.001), agreeableness (r = +0.226, p=0.006), openness (r = +0.268, p=0.001), and friendship satisfaction. Out of the Big Five traits, neuroticism (r = +0.070, p = 0.404) and conscientiousness (r = +0.114, p =0.175) were not significantly correlated with friendship satisfaction. Conclusion: Findings conclude that some personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, and openness) were correlated with friendship satisfaction.

객관적/주관적 경제수준이 친구관계만족에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the economic level of the elderly on satisfaction of friendship and compared gender differences. This study analyzed 1,074 male and 851 female aged over 65 years using the 7th Korean Retirement and Income Study. For the data analysis, STATA 14.0 statistics program was used to conduct descriptive statistical analysis, t-test, and multiple regression analysis. The houshold income level and Independence of elderlies had a positive impact on friendship satisfaction. The analysis results by gender showed that, for male, economic independence and for female, household income level had a positive impact on friendship satisfaction. This result indicated that the social expectation according to the gender of the elderly generation made a difference in the participation in economic activities. Accordingly, the importance of economic independence that was affected by the income source, etc. was different between the two genders. Based on these results, this study proposed the need to not only preserve the income of the elderly couple as a single household unit but also carefully consider the psychological aspect according to their genders.

Relation between Unmitigated Communion and Friendship Satisfaction: Gender as a Moderator

This study examined the relationship between unmitigated communion and friendship satisfaction, with gender as a moderator. The participants were 232 females and 132 males (mean age=19.6). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted with friendship satisfaction as the dependent variable. Gender and unmitigated communion were independent variables. Results showed that the interaction term between gender and unmitigated communion was significant. A simple main effect test indicated a negative association between unmitigated communion and friendship satisfaction only for females. Gender was shown to be a moderator, which was discussed in terms of self-disclosure.