The relationship between the quality of a best friendship and well-being during emerging adulthood

M.A. (Clinical Psychology)This study investigated the relationship between the quality of a best friendship and well-being during emerging adulthood. A combination of high levels of emotional, social, and psychological well-being, in the absence of a mental illness, is an indication of positive mental health and has been found to be beneficial to individuals‟ job performance, physical health, and psychosocial functioning (Keyes, 2005a, 2006, 2007). Friendship has been found to be a contributing factor to well-being (Clark & Graham, 2005). Research suggests that the closer a friendship is, the higher the quality and benefits of the friendship are, with best friendships being the highest in quality (Mendelson & Kay, 2003).Emerging adulthood was the age group of focus for the study. This is a developmental phase identified by Arnett (2000)which is distinct from adolescence and young adulthood. Friendship is significant in terms of need fulfilment during emerging adulthood; however, there is little existing research investigating this phase (Arnett, 2000; Demir, 2010). The aim of this study was to determine the relationship betweenthe quality of a best friendship and the three dimensions of well-being, namely, emotional, social, and psychological well-being, as well as overall well-being, a combination of the three dimensions. The study also aimed to determine whetherand, if so, to what extent, the quality of a best friendship contributed to variances in emotional, social, psychological, and overall well-being...