DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/25W5-RX77
Defense Date
2009
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Arnold Stolberg
Abstract
Specific factors affecting 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.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
May 2010