Effects of Self-Monitoring on Maintenance of Close and Casual Friendships

Author

Meredith Marie Wikstrom

Year

2010

Season

Fall

Paper Type

Master's Thesis

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Degree Name

Master of Arts in General Psychology (MAGP)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

The effects of self-monitoring on friendship maintenance were examined in close and casual friendships. Friendship maintenance was assessed with relationship behaviors, beliefs, self-disclosure, and interdependence. Participants completed the Self-Monitoring Scale. A 2 (Self-Monitoring: high vs. low) x 2 (Friendship Type: close vs. casual) between subject factorial ANOVA was used. An effect of friendship type was found for all forms of friendship maintenance. Participants reported using all maintenance strategies more often with close friends than with casual friends. Limitations of this study are use of self-report and a non-manipulated variable (i.e., self-monitoring). Future directions (e.g., exploring self-monitoring differences in friendship termination) are discussed.

Suggested Citation

Wikstrom, Meredith Marie, "Effects of Self-Monitoring on Maintenance of Close and Casual Friendships" (2010). UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 1040.
https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/1040