Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The existence of long distance friendships questions assumptions that interpersonal communication scholars make about relational commitment. A turning point analysis compared changes in commitment for geographically close and long distance same-sex friendships. The majority of both types of friends reported high levels of commitment and fluctuations in commitment levels over the relational history. Over eighty percent of the long distance friends reported their commitment levels were currently rising rather than falling. These findings provide evidence that proximity and frequent face-to-face contact are not requirements for committed friendships and that this relationship may not be as vulnerable to a lack of proximity as is often portrayed.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Based on an analysis of 120 intensive interviews focusing on 40 different friendships crossing the lines of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, and ability, it was apparent that the assessment of the overall impact of the social boundaries by respondents all fell within one of eight types of impact: no impact, providing a source of bonding, being an eye-opening experience, causing some initial hesitation, encouraging them to be mindful of the difference, eliciting a sense of respect, being a source of some discomfort, and making the friends less understanding of each other. Some types of impact were more common than others. In addition, there were variations in the distribution of social boundaries within each type of overall impact as well as corresponding variations in the distribution of types of overall impact within each social boundary. Within a single friendship, each friend could have a very different view of the impact of the social boundary on the friendship, although there was no consistent or recognizable pattern in these variations.

Supporting Publications:
Supporting Document
Supporting Document

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: This paper presents research conducted on the factor structure of rules in friendship relationships. Based on the previous research of other authors and the process of collecting the rules that young adults use in their friendship relationships, an IR-1 self-assessment measure was developed that consisted of 141 friendship-related rules which was applied on a large set of subjects (N=501) in the age of early adulthood. A factor analysis of the IR-1 items revealed five dimensions of rules in friendship relationships that were labeled benevolence, sociability, appropriateness, self-control, and self-directedness. The NEO PI-R inventory, which measures the personality dimensions according to the five-factor model of personality, was applied on a smaller subset of subjects (N=114) together with the IR-1 measure. Many statistically significant correlations were uncovered between the dimensions of interpersonal rules on the one hand, and the personality dimensions and their facets on the other hand, most of which were related to extraversion and agreeableness. The five uncovered factors of interpersonal rules were used for the development of a self-assessment instrument IRF-2 with 60 items. In an additional study (N=61) the variables measured with the IRF-2 instruments were correlated with measures of friendship quality and the results indicated that the use of positive rules in friendship associated with the dimensions labeled benevolence and sociability had the largest positive influence on the quality of friendship with a best friend.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: 143 open-ended responses were coded for termination reason and termination method used. Five reasons emerged: betrayal, disapproved traits, disapproved behavior, competing relationships, and increased distance. Four methods emerged: purposeful avoidance, fade away, hostile interaction, and direct request. Friendships terminated for betrayal were likely to end through purposeful avoidance. Friendships terminated for increased distance were likely to end through fading away. Conflict strategies were examined. Friends reported engaging in avoidant and distributive conflict styles during termination.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Since Sutherland’s 1939 proposal of Differential Association Theory, a great deal of research has investigated the relationship between friendships and delinquency. Many researchers have found substantial support for the theory citing that association with delinquent friends is a very strong correlate of delinquent activity. Although such past studies provide us with evidence to support the important link between friendships and delinquency, the contextual nuances of such relationships are unclear. This project investigates the race/ethnicity and gender of friends and friendship networks to better understand the relationship between friendships and delinquency. Utilizing a study of adolescent relationships, results indicate that gender and race/ethnicity affect the relationship between friendships and delinquency. In addition, the influences of families and friendships vary among different race/ethnic groups. Specifically, family influences mediate the relationship between friends and delinquency for Hispanic youth, but not for African American and White adolescent groups. Further findings suggest that the long-standing tradition of investigating the role of peers in criminal offending should incorporate gender and race/ethnicity to better understand this relationship.