Predictors of Adolescents’ Friendship Qualities: Gender and Family Related Variables

Abstract

This study examined the friendship qualities of adolescents (dimensions of companionship, conflict, help, security,
and closeness) and the extent of predictive properties of gender and variables that are related with family. 505 (128 female, 377
male) adolescents participated in this study. The data were obtained by the “Friendship Qualities Scale”, the “Short Form of
Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment”, and the “Personal Information Form”. The data were analyzed by using regression
analysis. The findings revealed that subscale of companionship were predicted primarily by father’s educational background. Second
predictor variable was mother’s educational background and the third one was attachment toward mother. Subscale of of conflict was
predicted by mother attachment in the first place and next by gender. Help was predicted best by gender; secondly, by mother
attachment and thirdly, by father’s educational background. Subscale of of security was predicted firstly by gender and secondly, by
father’s educational background. Subscale of of closeness was predicted respectively by gender, father’s educational background,
family composition and mother attachment.