Abstract
Decades of empirical research leave no doubt that friendship experiences are consistent correlates of happiness. Yet, little
is known about how friendships are related to happiness. The present study examined personal sense of uniqueness as a mediator
of the relationship between same-sex best friendship quality and happiness in three samples each employing a different measure
of happiness (n = 2,429). Results provided support to the mediational model in every sample and showed that it was gender
invariant. The findings suggest that one reason why the quality of friendships is related to happiness is because friendship
experiences promote individuals’ feelings of uniqueness. The implications of the findings for friendship and happiness research
are discussed and directions for future research are outlined.
is known about how friendships are related to happiness. The present study examined personal sense of uniqueness as a mediator
of the relationship between same-sex best friendship quality and happiness in three samples each employing a different measure
of happiness (n = 2,429). Results provided support to the mediational model in every sample and showed that it was gender
invariant. The findings suggest that one reason why the quality of friendships is related to happiness is because friendship
experiences promote individuals’ feelings of uniqueness. The implications of the findings for friendship and happiness research
are discussed and directions for future research are outlined.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Research Paper
- Pages 1-24
- DOI 10.1007/s10902-012-9376-9
- Authors
- Melikşah Demir, Department of Psychology, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5106, USA
- Ömer Faruk Şimşek, Department of Psychology, İstanbul Arel University, İstanbul, Turkey
- Amanda D. Procsal, Department of Psychology, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5106, USA
- Journal Journal of Happiness Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-7780
- Print ISSN 1389-4978