Abstract

The purpose of this study was to gain a greater understanding of the construct of friendship, specifically how intimate partners experience friendship in intimate relationships. 45 participants were interviewed one-time (for a total of 60-90 minutes) and asked about their experience of healthy and unhealthy behaviors, including friendship, in committed relationships. Research questions included: how participants define the concept of friendship, behaviors that perpetuate friendship in intimate relationships, perceived benefits of friendship, and what a lack of friendship in their relationship looks like. Participants were asked about friendship generally with the hope that information on the research questions would be offered. Participant responses were recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using grounded theory tools of open, axial, and selective coding. Emergent themes lay on a continuum of unhealthy (apathy) to healthy (friendship) characteristics. Gaining a greater understanding of friendship in marriage as a lived experience has the potential to positively impact how individuals and couples view their intimate relationship and provide potential behaviors to adopt during distressing times. Clinicians may find the results useful to inform relationship-enhancing interventions, specifically for couple and family therapy.

Degree

College and Department

Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Family Life

Rights

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