Abstract
Friendship is an important aspect of human lives. People form friendships at all ages with different dynamics affecting the bonds. Children friendships tend to be more fragile as compared to adult friendship. Children tend to change friends more often as compared to adults and teenagers. A major factor affecting children friendship is the jealousy and the level of satisfaction with the friendship. Adolescent friendships on the other hand tend to be more stable, with most adolescents having several friends. Friendship satisfaction and the level of investment in a relationship are significant factors affecting the strength of commitment in teen friendships. The availability of high quality alternative also results in reduced commitment in friendships. Adult friendships are more stable and involve high levels of commitment. The level of communication between adult friends is the greatest influence towards the quality of adult friendships as increased communication may result in higher quality friendships; therefore, strong commitment.
Human beings are social creatures; and as such are bound to create associations with other people. These associations may be of different types with some associations being more intimate as compared to others. An association that is common among human beings of all ages is friendship. These different friendships depend on different factors with some being stronger in comparison to other friendships. These factors tend to differ based on the age level with children friendships being influenced by issues different from those affecting adult and teen friendships. However, satisfaction, investment levels, and quality of alternatives are common factors affecting the level and strength of commitment in friendship. The more two individuals invest in friendship, as well as the level of satisfaction for both individuals are positively associated with an increase in the strength of commitment to the friends. The commitment strength in a friendship is, however, negatively influenced by the availability of high-quality alternatives to the friendship. This paper provides research on the impact of investment rates, availability of alternatives, and the level of satisfaction on the strength of commitment experienced at different ages.
Commitment in Children Friendship
Issues of jealousy and satisfaction are among the greatest factors affecting childhood friendships. Deutz, Lansu, and Cillessen (2015) conducted a study on the effects of jealousy and satisfaction levels on the behaviour of childhood friends. The level of jealousy that may exist in childhood friendships may affect the quality of interaction between friends as well as result in instances of disharmony and conflicts (Deutz, Lansu, & Cillessen, 2015).. High levels of jealousy in a friendship may result in increased cases of negative prosocial and cheating behaviours among friends. High instances of jealousy often resulted in instances of low satisfaction in the friendship; therefore termination (Casper & Card, 2010). Instances of jealousy often resulted in destructive communication patterns resulting in negative interactions; therefore conflict.
Friendship satisfaction also plays a great role in influencing the strength of commitment in childhood friendships. Deutz, Lansu, and Cillessen (2015) explained that high instances of friendship satisfaction in boys resulted in higher instances of conflict resolution. The level of satisfaction in friendship was affected by several issues including the behaviour of the two individuals in the friendship. Other than jealousy, the level of negative behaviour affected the level of satisfaction each child received in friendship. Boys exhibited more negative behaviours, which often resulted in higher instanceds of conflict. Friends that were unsatisfied with the friendship did not put much effort in conflict resolution. Highly satisfactory friendships resulted in an increased commitment to solving conflicts (Deutz, Lansu, & Cillessen, 2015). In girls, friendship satisfaction was illustrated by the level of positive behaviour exhibited. Girl friendships were more fragile as compared to friendships formed between friends (Rose & Rudolph, 2006). A girl’s commitment to friendship was attributed to the level of positive behaviour expressed towards the other friend. The level of friendship satisfaction in children greatly impacted the level of commitment in the friendship.
Commitment in Adolescent Friendships
Just like children relationships, the level of satisfaction in a friendship influences the strength of commitment. The level of individual investment in a friendship also influences the commitment levels that adolescents have to their friends. Branje et al. (2007) investigated the impact of friendship satisfaction, investment, and quality of alternatives on the friendship stability. In adolescents, higher levels of friendship satisfaction resulted in a lower need to seek new friends. Adolescents had higher instances of friendship satisfaction as compared to children. Hall and Baym (2011) explained female relationships to have higher instances of termination as compared to male relationships. In females friendship satisfaction was mainly influenced by the level of communication between friends. Girls who texted and talked more were likely to have fewer instances of jealousy; therefore, high satisfaction in friendship. Lack of communication resulted in the need to seek other friends. Teenage males were less likely to seek new friends as most were satisfied with their friendship.
The level of investment in a friendship affects the strength of commitment exhibited in adolescent relationships. Branje et al. (2007) explained that teenagers who reported low levels of investment in their friendships experienced more changes in friends as compared to adolescents who reported higher investment levels in their friendship. Friends who participated in similar activities were explained to be more invested in the friendship; therefore, had fewer chances of seeking new friends. Other instances of investment that resulted in the increased commitment in friendships included both friends initiating contact, and both friends being a source of encouragement for the other. However instances of over investment resulted in less satisfaction of the friendship; therefore, loss of commitment. Individuals who were over invested in their friendships were likely to seek other friends. Branje et al. (2007) are of the opinion that people who over-invested either emotionally or physically in a friendship often felt their needs were not met; therefore, sort out to get newer friends.
The quality of alternative also affects the commitment strength in teenage friendships. Teenagers tend to have a number of friends with only one best friends. The high number of friends provided alternatives for the option of best friends. Branje et al. (2007) explained that adolescents who had higher quality alternatives had fewer instances of commitment to their best friends. Stable friendships were more likely to have a lower quality of alternatives. Increased friendship satisfaction resulted in low-quality alternatives; therefore, higher instances of commitment. Poulin and Pedersen (2007) explained that adolescents were more likely to change friends with the aim of creating a large network of friends. The availability of high-quality alternatives promoted the creation of a large network of friends.
Commitment in Adult Friendships
Adults tend to form more stable friendships and have fewer instances of change. The level of satisfaction as well as the level of investment in a friendship, however, affects commitment strength in adult relationships just like teenage relationships. Adults who experience high levels of satisfaction in their friendship are more committed as compared to those experiencing low contentment levels. Johnsona et al. (2009) explained that adult females put more effort in maintaining their friendships as compared to males. Even in long distance friendships, females invested more in their friendships; therefore, had more stable friendships. Adult male friendships did not involve a lot of investment and were less stable as compared to female friendships (Johnsona et al., 2009). According to Arroyoa and Segrina (2011), higher quality friendships were achieved through the use of proper communication. Friends who communicated more were likely to be more satisfied with their friendships. A high level of satisfaction resulted in increased commitment in the friendship. Factors that affected the amount of communication between friends included the level of shyness of an individual. Arroyo and Harwood (2010) explained that shy individuals had problems with communication, which negatively affected the quality of their friendships. Shy individuals were seen to be less invested in their friendships; therefore, weaker commitment.
Conclusion
There are different factors that affect the strength of commitment in friendship. In children, the level of commitment is affected by the level of satisfaction as well as the level of jealousy exhibited by different friends. In teenagers, the level of investment affects both satisfaction and friendship quality. The availability of high-quality alternatives in teenagers resulted in weaker commitments to friendships. Friendships in adulthood were more compact and experienced high levels of commitment. However, the availability of quality alternatives and low satisfaction in friendship resulted in need to change friends in adults.
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