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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 145-163). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

The present study examined the discrepancy in the literature regarding the absence of gender differences in the stability of same-sex close friendships. One hundred and twenty children and adolescents (60 females and 60 males) from three grade levels (5, 7, and 9) participated in the study. An interview measure was developed to assess for the level of intimacy, the social context in which the friendship occurred (dyad vs. group), and perceptions of equality of achievement for both current and former same-sex close friendships. Intimacy and equality are features most closely associated with the social context of girls' same-sex friendships. It was theorized that the more intimate, dyadic nature of girls' friendships would contribute to interpersonal difficulties within their friendships. Individual interviews were conducted with each participant. It was hypothesized that girls' close friendships would be more unstable than those of boys and that girls' friendships would show more signs of vulnerability to dissolution. Statistically significant gender differences were obtained, that were consistent with the hypothesis, when only the very closest same-sex friend for both genders was included in the analyses. Girls' current same-sex closest friendships were shorter in duration compared to boys, girls' were more likely than boys to report that their current closest friends had already done something to threaten their friendship, and girls' were more likely to report a history of break ups with former same-sex close friends. Girls were also more likely to report greater distress when asked to imagine the potential dissolution of their current friendships and more likely to both anticipate and to have experienced a greater life change following the imagined and actual dissolution of their current and former friendships, respectively. The results are discussed in terms of the possible reasons behind the greater fragility of girls' friendships rela

The present research included gender in Person-by-Situation interaction models in the study of interpersonal behavior and affect. An event-contingent recording methodology was used to measure behavior and affect across situations and over time in natural settings for a 20-day period with adult community samples. Three dyadic situations of personal relationships that varied in gender composition and emotional closeness were examined: same-sex friendships, opposite-sex friendships, and romantic relationships. / Traditional investigations of gender, disregarding situational factors, have determined that women are generally less agentic, more communal, and more emotional than men. The present research demonstrated that the interpersonal behavior of agency and communion were influenced by both situation and gender. In same-sex friendships, women and men behaved consistently with their gender-stereotypes: pairs of women were more communal than pairs of men and pairs of men were more agentic than pairs of women. In mixed-sex dyads, individuals did not behave consistently with gender-stereotypes. Women and men behaved similarly on agency and communion with opposite-sex friends. In interactions with a romantic partner, women behaved less communally than men. Personal relationship situations were found to moderate agentic and communal behaviors, demonstrating the plasticity and variability of gender role behaviors. / Pleasant and unpleasant affect intensity was influenced by situation but not gender. The present research demonstrated that women and men reported experiencing similar levels of affect across the relationship situations. As predicted, individuals experienced both greater pleasant and unpleasant affect in romantic relationships than friendships. / The current research confirmed that there is a need to move beyond the conception that the stereotypic characteristics of men and women reside within individuals. Gender should be included in Person-by-Situation interaction models, taking into consideration psychological and social factors that shape the expression of sex-differentiated behaviors and the experience of emotions.

Other investigators have surmised that different types of relationships use diverse maintenance strategies in order to keep the relationship in existence. This study examines relational maintenance strategies that people use specifically in the relationship known as friendship.Five adult friendship couples were interviewed for maintenance strategies they use to sustain their friendship. The discussions were recorded and transcribed. The Constant Comparison method was used to compare and contrast the data in order to discover strategies unique to friendships.Results revealed seven strategies including Openness; Approach to Conflict; Identification; Admiration; Togetherness; and Sense of Continuance. These friendship strategies are uniquely utilized, and therefore distinctive, to the relationship. This may be due to the way people are socialized in our society. / Department of Speech Communication

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 179-189).

Thesis (M.A.)--Kent State University, 2008. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Jan. 26, 2010) Advisor: Angela M. Neal-Barnett. Keywords: Interracial Friendship. Includes bibliographical references (p. 39-46)

Thesis (D.Phil.)--University of Oxford, 2009. / Supervisor: Dr Katherine Clarke. Bibliography: leaves 319-339.

In an intellectual environment, such as college, it is often hard to set aside a space for religion and faith. In the monthly event designed for students seeking to learn more about faith and religion in an inviting social environment, Professor Brian J. Braman showed undergraduates how to find God in everyday life and develop a deeper relationship with God through intellect. / with Brian J. Braman, Adjunct Associate Professor, Philosophy Department, Boston College / Hillside Cafe

Scholars historically have separated friendships and romantic relationships into two qualitatively distinct relationship categories. Contemporary research examining passionate friendships, however, has identified qualities within platonic relationships that appear to mimic characteristics typically associated with romantic relationships. Primary critiques of the existing passionate friendship literature include exclusively examining females, including samples that predominately identified as lesbian, bisexual or questioning, and research utilizing solely qualitative designs. The current study used a quantitative design to investigate 375 emerging adults' (18-26 years of age; 149 males, 226 females) friendship experiences. Specifically, four quasi-independent variables (i.e., biological sex, sexual orientation, gender-role orientation, and cross vs. same-sex dyads) were examined as factors associated with passionate friendship. Findings from this study indicated that both males and females experience passionate friendship, and that these experiences are not specific to individuals who identify as non-heterosexual. Additionally, results from this study shed light on the occurrence of passionate friendship experiences observed in both cross- and same-sex dyads. Characteristics of passionate friendships (e.g., levels of attachment, thought preoccupation, intensity of the relationship) were also examined using a newly created measure. Female participants and individuals whose closest friend was described a cross-sex friend scored higher on nearly every continuous scale of the designed measure. Additionally, sexual orientation and gender-role orientation yielded significant results on several of the identified subscales, with sexual-minority individuals and those who claimed androgynous or masculine gender-role orientation obtaining higher scores. Finally, predictability of passionate friendship occurrence was evaluated and indicated that passionate friendships may be predicted based on existing demographics or personality characteristics of an individual.