Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Toward a Better Understanding of the Relationship Between Friendship and Happiness: Perceived Responses to Capitalization Attempts, Feelings of Mattering, and Satisfaction of Basic Psychological Needs in Same-Sex Best Friendships as Predictors of Happiness

Journal of Happiness Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Friendship is a consistent correlate of happiness, yet less is known about the associations of friendship specific experiences and feelings with happiness. In this study (n = 4,382) the roles of perceived responses to capitalization attempts, perceived mattering to and satisfaction of basic psychological needs in same-sex best friendships in happiness among men and women were investigated. Findings showed that although all of the friendship variables were positively associated with happiness to varying degrees, basic needs satisfaction emerged as the strongest predictor of happiness. Additional analyses revealed that competence need satisfaction was the most important need predicting happiness. Importantly, these findings were gender invariant. The findings were discussed in light of theory and empirical literature and suggestions were made for future research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams, G., & Plaut, V. C. (2003). The cultural grounding of personal relationship: Friendship in North American and West African worlds. Personal Relationships, 10, 335–349.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antonucci, T. C., & Akiyama, H. (1987). An examination of sex differences in social support among older men and women. Sex Roles, 17, 737–749.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Argyle, M. (2001). The psychology of happiness. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnett, J. J. (2008). The neglected 95%: Why American psychology needs to become less American. American Psychologist, 63, 602–614.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azmitia, M., Ittel, A., & Brenk, C. (2006). Latino-heritage adolescents’ friendships. In X. Chen, D. C. French, & B. H. Schneider (Eds.), Peer relationships in cultural context (pp. 426–451). New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Baldassare, M., Rosenfield, S., & Rook, K. S. (1984). The types of social relations predicting elderly well-being. Research on Aging, 6, 549–559.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baltes, B. B., Parker, C. P., Young, L. M., Huff, J. W., & Altmann, R. (2004). The practical utility of importance measures in assessing the relative importance of work related perceptions and organizational characteristics on work related outcomes. Organizational Research Methods, 7, 326–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister, R., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117, 497–529.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berry, D. S., & Hansen, J. S. (1996). Positive affect, negative affect, and social interaction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 71, 796–809.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berscheid, E., & Reis, H. T. (1998). Attraction and close relationships. In D. T. Gilbert, S. T. Fiske, & G. Lindzey (Eds.), The handbook of social psychology (4th ed., pp. 193–281). New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buote, V. M., Pancer, S. M., Pratt, M. W., Adams, G., Birnie-Lefcovitch, S., Polivy, J., et al. (2007). The importance of friends: Friendship and adjustment among 1st-year university students. Journal of Adolescent Research, 22, 665–689.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burks, V. S., Dodge, K. A., & Price, J. M. (1995). Models of internalizing outcomes of early rejection. Development and Psychopathology, 7, 683–695.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burt, R. S. (1987). Strangers, friends, and happiness. Social Networks, 9, 311–331.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Camfield, L., Choudhury, K., & Devine, J. (2009). Well-being, happiness and why relationships matter: Evidence from Bangladesh. Journal of Happiness Studies, 10, 71–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, A., Converse, P. E., & Rogers, W. L. (1976). The quality of American life. New York: Russell Sage Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan, Y., & Lee, R. (2006). Network size, social support and happiness in later life: A comparative study of Beijing and Hong Kong. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7, 87–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chaplin, L. N. (2009). Please may I have a bike? Better yet, may I have a hug? An examination of children’s and adolescents’ happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies, 10, 541–562.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, H., & Furnham, A. (2002). Personality, peer relations, self-confidence as predictors of happiness and loneliness. Journal of Adolescence, 25, 327–339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chirkov, V. I., Ryan, R. M., & Willness, C. (2005). Cultural context and psychological needs in Canada and Brazil: Testing a self-determination approach to internalization of cultural practices, identity and well-being. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 36, 425–443.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, Y. A. (1961). Social structure and personality: A casebook. New York, NY: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, S., Sherrod, D. R., & Clark, M. S. (1986). Social skills and the stress protective role of social support. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50, 963–973.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collins, W. A., & van Dulmen, M. H. M. (2006). Friendships and romantic relationships in emerging adulthood. In J. J. Arnett & J. Tanner (Eds.), Emerging adulthood: Scientific perspectives. Washington: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Connolly, K. M., & Myers, J. (2002). Wellness and mattering: The role of holistic factors in job satisfaction. Journal of Employment Counseling, 40, 152–159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, H., Okamura, L., & Gurka, V. (1992). Social activity and subjective well-being. Personality and Individual Differences, 13, 573–583.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coopersmith, S. (1967). The antecedents of self-esteem. San Francisco: Freeman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cutrona, C. E., & Russell, D. (1987). The provisions of social relationships and adaptation to stress. In W. H. Jones & D. Perlman (Eds.), Advances in personal relationships (Vol. 1, pp. 37–67). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deci, E. L., La Guardia, J. G., Moller, A. C., Scheiner, M. J., & Ryan, R. M. (2006). On the benefits of giving as well as receiving autonomy support: Mutuality in close friendships. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 32, 313–327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11, 227–268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (Eds.). (2002). Handbook of self-determination research. Rochester, NY: The University of Rochester Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Demir, M. (2011). My best friend will be there for me when things go right: Capitalization, friendship and happiness. Manuscript submitted for publication.

  • Demir, M., & Orthel, H. (2011). Friendship, real-ideal discrepancies and well-being: Gender differences. Journal of Psychology, 145, 173–193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Demir, M., Orthel, H., & Andelin, A. K. (in press). Friendship and happiness. In I. Boniwell & S. David (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Happiness. London: Oxford University Press.

  • Demir, M., & Özdemir, M. (2010). Friendship, need satisfaction and happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies, 11, 243–259.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Demir, M., Őzdemir, M., & Weitekamp, L. A. (2007). Looking to happy tomorrow with friends: Best and close friendships as they predict happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies, 8, 243–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Demir, M., Özen, A., Achoui, M., Baduni, O., Bilyk, N., et al. (2012). A multinational study of the correlates of same-sex best friendship quality and conflict. Manuscript in preparation.

  • Demir, M., Özen, A., Doğan, A., Bilyk, N., & Tyrell, F. (2011). I matter to my friend, therefore I am happy: Friendship, mattering, and happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies, 12, 983–1005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Demir, M., & Urberg, K. A. (2004). Friendship and adjustment among adolescents. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 88, 68–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Demir, M., & Weitekamp, L. A. (2007). I am so happy ‘cause today I found my friend: Friendship and personality as predictors of happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies, 8, 181–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Devlin, A. S. (1996). Survival skills training during freshman orientation: Its role in college adjustment. Journal of College Student Development, 37, 324–334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E. (1984). Subjective well-being. Psychological Bulletin, 95, 542–575.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2008). Happiness: Unlocking the mysteries of psychological wealth. Malden, MA: Wiley/Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., Lucas, R. E., & Oishi, S. (2002). Subjective well-being: The science of happiness and life satisfaction. In C. R. Snyder & S. J. Lopez (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., Suh, E. M., Lucas, R. E., & Smith, H. L. (1999). Subjective well-being: Three decades of progress. Psychological Bulletin, 125, 276–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon Rayle, A. (2005). Adolescent gender differences in mattering and wellness. Journal of Adolescence, 28, 753–763.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon Rayle, A., & Chung, K. (2007). Revisiting first-year college students’ mattering: Social support, academic stress, and the mattering experience. Journal of College Student Retention, 9, 21–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doğan, A., & Demir, M. (2009). Capitalization, friendship quality, and happiness among emerging adults in Turkey and the USA. Paper presented at the 4th Conference on Emerging Adulthood, Atlanta, GA, USA.

  • DuBois, D. L., & Hirsch, B. J. (1990). School and neighborhood friendship patterns of blacks and whites in early adolescence. Child Development, 61, 524–536.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliot, A. J., McGregor, H. A., & Thrash, T. M. (2002). The need for competence. In E. L. Deci & R. M. Ryan (Eds.), Handbook of self-determination research (pp. 361–387). Rochester, NY: University of Rochester Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, G., Kao, S., & Grant, A. (2004). Mattering: Empirical validation of a social-psychological concept. Self and Identity, 3, 339–354.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellison, C. G. (1990). Family ties, friendships, and subjective well-being among black Americans. Journal of Marriage and Family, 52, 298–310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erikson, E. H. (1982). The life cycle completed. A review. New York: Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franco, N., & Levitt, M. J. (1998). The social ecology of middle childhood: Family support, friendship quality, and self-esteem. Family Relations, 47, 315–321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • French, D. C., Bae, A., Pidada, S., & Lee, O. (2006). Friendships of Indonesian, South Korean, and US college students. Personal Relationships, 13, 69–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedlander, L., Reid, G., Shupak, N., & Cribbie, R. (2007). Social support, self-esteem, and stress as predictors of adjustment to university among first-year undergraduates. Journal of College Student Development, 48, 259–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fujita, F., Diener, E., & Sandvik, E. (1991). Gender differences in negative affect and well-being: The case for emotional intensity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61, 427–434.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Furman, W., & Buhrmester, D. (1985). Children’s perceptions of the qualities of sibling relationships. Child Development, 56, 448–461.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gable, S. L., Gonzaga, G. C., & Strachman, A. (2006). Will you be there for me when things go right? Supportive responses to positive disclosures. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91, 904–917.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gable, S. L., & Reis, H. T. (2001). Appetitive and aversive social interaction. In J. Harvey & A. Wenzel (Eds.), Close romantic relationships: Maintenance and enhancement (pp. 169–194). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gable, S. L., & Reis, H. T. (2010). Good News! Capitalizing on positive events in an interpersonal context. In M. P. Zanna (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (pp. 198–257). New York: Elsevier Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gable, S. L., Reis, H. T., Impett, E., & Asher, E. R. (2004). What do you do when things go right? The intrapersonal and interpersonal benefits of sharing positive events. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 87, 228–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gladow, N., & Ray, M. (1986). The impact of informal support systems on the well being of low income single parents. Family Relations, 35, 113–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodwin, R. (1999). Personal relationships across cultures. Florence, KY: Taylor & Frances/Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haring, M. J., Stock, W. A., & Okun, M. A. (1984). A research synthesis of gender and social class as correlates of subjective well-being. Human Relations, 37, 645–657.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hays, R. B. (1985). A longitudinal study of friendship development. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48, 909–924.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hays, R. B. (1988). Friendship. In S. Duck (Ed.), Handbook of personal relationships: Theory, research, and interventions (pp. 391–408). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henrich, J., Heine, S. J., & Norenzayan, A. (2010). The weirdest people in the world. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 33, 61–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hussong, A. M. (2000). Perceived peer context and adolescent adjustment. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 10, 391–415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins, S. R., Goodness, K., & Buhrmester, D. (2002). Gender differences in early adolescents’ relationship qualities, self-efficacy, and depression symptoms. Journal of Early Adolescence, 22, 277–309.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kao, G., & Joyner, K. (2004). Does race and ethnicity matter between friends? Activities among interracial, interethnic, and intraethnic Adolescent Friends. Sociological Quarterly, 45, 557–573.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King, A., & Terrance, C. (2008). Best friendship qualities and mental health symptomatology among young adults. Journal of Adult Development, 15, 25–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • La Guardia, J. G., & Patrick, H. (2008). Self-determination theory as a fundamental theory of close relationships. Canadian Psychology, 49, 201–209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • La Guardia, J. G., Ryan, R. M., Couchman, C. E., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Within-person variation in security attachment: A self-determination theory perspective on attachment, need fulfillment, and well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79, 367–384.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Langston, C. A. (1994). Capitalizing on and coping with daily-life events: Expressive responses to positive events. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67, 1112–1125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laurenceau, J. P., Barrett, L. F., & Pietromonaco, P. R. (1998). Intimacy as a process: The importance of self-disclosure and responsiveness in interpersonal exchanges. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74, 1238–1251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laursen, B., & Bukowski, W. M. (1997). A developmental guide to the organisation of close relationships. International Journal of Behavioural Development, 21, 747–770.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lent, R. (2004). Toward a unifying theoretical and practical perspective on well-being and psychosocial adjustment. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 51, 482–509.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levitt, M. J., Guacci-Franco, N., & Levitt, J. L. (1993). Convoys of social support in childhood and early adolescence: Structure and function. Developmental Psychology, 29, 811–818.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu, L. (1995). The relationship between subjective well-being and psychosocial variables in Taiwan. The Journal of Social Psychology, 135, 351–357.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyubomirsky, S. (2008). The how of happiness: A scientific approach to getting the life you want. New York: Penguin Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyubomirsky, S., King, L., & Diener, E. (2005). The benefits of frequent positive affect: Does happiness lead to success? Psychologyical Bulletin, 131, 803–855.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyubomirsky, S., & Lepper, H. S. (1999). A measure of subjective happiness: Preliminary reliability and construct validation. Social Indicators Research, 46, 137–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maisel, N., Gable, S. L., & Strachman, A. (2008). Responsive behaviors in good times and in bad. Personal Relationships, 15, 317–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mak, L., & Marshall, S. (2004). Perceived mattering in young adults’ romantic relationships. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 21, 469–486.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall, S. K. (2001). Do I matter? Construct validation of adolescents’ perceived mattering to parents and friends. Journal of Adolescence, 24, 473–490.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mattei, D., & Schaefer, C. E. (2004). An investigation of the validity of the subjective happiness scale. Psychological Reports, 94, 288–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Menard, S. (1995). Applied logistic regression analysis (Sage University Paper Series on Quantitative Applications in the Social Sciences, 07–106). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

  • Mendelson, M. J., & Aboud, F. E. (1999). Measuring friendship quality in late adolescents and young adults: McGill friendship questionnaires. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 31, 130–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Monsour, M. (2002). Women and men as friends: Relationships across the life span in the 21st century. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, R. (1990). Classical and modern regression with applications (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Duxbury.

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers, D., & Diener, E. (1995). Who is happy? Psychological Science, 6, 10–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nangle, D. W., Erdley, C. A., Newman, J. E., Mason, C. A., & Carpenter, E. M. (2003). Popularity, friendship quantity, and friendship quality: Interactive influences on children’s loneliness, and depression. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 32, 546–555.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Meara, D. (1989). Cross-sex friendship: Four basic challenges of an ignored relationship. Sex Roles, 21, 525–543.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oldenburg, C. M., & Kerns, K. A. (1997). Associations between peer relationships and depressive symptoms: Testing moderator effects of gender and age. Journal of Early Adolescence, 17, 319–337.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Özen, A., Sümer, N., & Demir, M. (2011). Predicting friendship quality with rejection sensitivity and attachment security. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 28, 163–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pagano, M., & Hirsch, B. J. (2007). Friendships and romantic relationships of Black and White Adolescents. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 16, 347–357.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patrick, J. H., Cottrell, L. E., & Barnes, K. A. (2001). Gender, emotional support, and well-being among the rural elderly. Sex Roles, 45, 15–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patrick, H., Knee, C. R., Canavello, A., & Lonsbary, C. (2007). The role of need fulfillment in relationship functioning and well-being: A self-determination theory perspective. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92, 434–457.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pinquart, M., & Sörensen, S. (2000). Influences of socioeconomic status, social network, and competence on subjective well-being in later life: A meta-analysis. Psychology and Aging, 15, 187–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pittman, L. D., & Richmond, A. (2008). University belonging and friendship quality during the transition to college: Links to self perceptions and psychological symptoms. Journal of Experimental Education, 76, 343–361.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Proulx, C. M., Helms, H. M., & Buehler, C. (2007). Marital quality and personal well-being: A meta analysis. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 69, 576–593.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reis, H. T. (2001). Relationship experiences and emotional well-being. In C. D. Ryff, & B. H. Singer, (Eds.), Emotion, social relationships, and health. Series in affective science. (pp. 57–86). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

  • Reis, H. T., Clark, M. S., & Holmes, J. G. (2004). Perceived partner responsiveness as an organizing construct in the study of intimacy and closeness. In D. J. Mashek & A. Aron (Eds.), The handbook of closeness and intimacy (pp. 201–228). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reis, H. T., & Shaver, P. (1988). Intimacy as an interpersonal process. In S. Duck, D. F. Hay, S. E. Hobfoll, & W. Ickes (Eds.), Handbook of personal relationships: Theory, research, and interventions (pp. 367–389). Oxford: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reis, H. T., Sheldon, K. M., Gable, S. L., Roscoe, J., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). Daily well-being: The role of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 26, 419–435.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reisman, J. M. (1981). Adult friendships. In S. Duck & R. Gilmour (Eds.), Personal relationships 2: Developing personal relationships (pp. 205–230). Orlando, FL: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Requena, F. (1995). Friendship and subjective well-being in Spain: Across-national comparison with the United States. Social Indicators Research, 35, 271–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richey, M., & Richey, H. (1980). The significance of best-friend relationships in adolescence. Psychology in the Schools, 17, 536–540.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rojas, M. (2006). Life satisfaction and satisfaction in domains of life: Is it a simple relationship? Journal of Happiness Studies, 7, 467–497.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rook, K. S. (1987). Social support versus companionship: Effects on life stress, loneliness, and evaluations by others. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 52, 1132–1147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, M. (1985). Self-concept and psychological well-being in adolescence. In R. L. Leahy (Ed.), The development of self (pp. 205–246). Toronto: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, M., & McCullough, B. (1981). Mattering: Inferred significance and mental health among adolescents. Research in Community and Mental Health, 2, 163–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roy, R., Bennenson, J., & Lilly, F. (2000). Beyond intimacy: Conceptualizing sex differences in same-sex friendships. The Journal of Psychology, 134, 93–101.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rusbult, C. E., Verette, J., Whitney, G. A., Slovik, L. F., & Lipkus, I. (1991). Accommodation processes in close relationships: Theory and preliminary empirical evidence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 60, 53–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55, 68–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R. M., La Guardia, J. G., Solky-Butzel, J., Chirkov, V., & Kim, Y. (2005). On the interpersonal regulation of emotions: Emotional reliance across gender, relationships, and cultures. Personal Relationships, 12, 145–163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saphire-Bernstein, S., & Taylor, S. E. (in press). Relationships and well-being. In I. Boniwell & S. David (Eds.), Oxford handbook of happiness. London: Oxford University Press.

  • Schieman, S., & Taylor, J. (2001). Statuses, roles, and the sense of mattering. Sociological Perspectives, 44, 469–484.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schiffrin, H. H., & Nelson, S. K. (2010). Stressed and happy? Investigating the relationship between happiness and perceived stress. Journal of Happiness Studies, 11, 33–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheets, V. L., & Lugar, R. (2005). Friendship and gender in Russia and the United States. Sex Roles, 52, 131–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheldon, K. M., Elliot, A. J., Kim, Y., & Kasser, T. (2001). What is satisfying about satisfying events? Testing 10 candidate psychological needs. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80, 325–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheldon, K. M., & Filak, V. (2008). Manipulating autonomy, competence and relatedness support in a game-learning context: New evidence that all three needs matter. British Journal of Social Psychology, 47, 267–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheldon, K. M., Kasser, T., Houser-Marko, L., Jones, T., & Turban, D. (2005). Doing one’s duty: Chronological age, felt autonomy, and subjective well-being. European Journal of Personality, 19, 97–115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheldon, K. M., & Niemiec, C. P. (2006). It’s not just the amount that counts: Balanced need satisfaction also affects well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91, 331–341.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheldon, K. M., Ryan, R. M., & Reis, H. T. (1996). What makes for a good day? Competence and autonomy in the day and in the person. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 22, 1270–1279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheldon, K. M., & Tan, H. (2007). The multiple determination of well-being: Independent effects of positive needs, traits, goals, selves, social supports, and cultural contexts. Journal of Happiness Studies, 8, 565–592.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swami, V., Stieger, S., Voracek, M., Dressler, S. G., Eisma, L., & Furnham, A. (2009). Psychometric evaluation of the Tagalog and German subjective happiness scales and a cross-cultural comparison. Social Indicators Research, 93, 393–406.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2001). Using multivariate statistics (4th ed.). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S. E. (2010). Social support: A review. In H. S. Friedman (Ed.), Oxford handbook of health psychology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, J., & Turner, J. (2001). A longitudinal study of the role and significance of mattering to others for depressive symptoms. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 42, 310–325.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vansteenkiste, M., Lens, W., Soenens, B., & Luyckx, K. (2006). Autonomy and relatedness among Chinese sojourners and applicants: Conflictual or independent predictors of well-being and adjustment? Motivation and Emotion, 30, 273–282.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walen, H. R., & Lachman, M. E. (2000). Social support and strain from partner, family, and friends: Costs and benefits for men and women in adulthood. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 17, 5–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watson, G. (1930). Happiness among adult students of education. The Journal of Educational Psychology, 21, 79–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54, 1063–1070.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Way, N., & Chen, L. (2000). Close and general friendships among African American, Latino, and Asian American adolescents from low-income families. Journal of Adolescent Research, 15, 274–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Way, N., Cowal, K., Gingold, R., Pahl, K., & Bissessar, N. (2001). Friendship patterns among African-American, Asian-American, and Latino adolescents from low-income families. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 18, 29–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Way, N., & Robinson, M. G. (2003). A longitudinal study of the effects of family, friends, and school experiences on the psychological adjustment of ethnic minority, low-SES adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Research, 18, 324–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wei, M. F., Shaffer, P. A., Young, S. K., & Zakalik, R. A. (2005). Adult attachment, shame, depression, and loneliness: The mediation role of basic psychological needs satisfaction. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52, 591–601.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss, R. S. (1974). The provisions of social relationships. In Z. Rubin (Ed.), Doing unto others: Joining, molding, confirming, helping, loving (pp. 17–26). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wellman, B. (1992). Men in networks: Private communities, domestic friendships. In P. M. Nardi (Ed.), Men’s friendships (pp. 74–114). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, R. W. (1963). Ego and reality in psychoanalytic theory. Psychological Issues Series, Monograph No. 11. New York: International Universities Press.

  • White, R. W. (1965). The experience of efficacy in schizophrenia. Psychiatry, 28, 199–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, W. (1967). Correlates of avowed happiness. Psychological Bulletin, 67, 294–306.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, P. M., Longley, K., Muon, S., Rodgers, W. M., & Murray, T. C. (2006). Examining the contributions of perceived psychological need satisfaction to well-being in exercise. Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research, 11, 243–264.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winstead, B. A., Derlega, V. J., & Rose, S. (1997). Gender and close relationships. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Melikşah Demir.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Demir, M., Davidson, I. Toward a Better Understanding of the Relationship Between Friendship and Happiness: Perceived Responses to Capitalization Attempts, Feelings of Mattering, and Satisfaction of Basic Psychological Needs in Same-Sex Best Friendships as Predictors of Happiness. J Happiness Stud 14, 525–550 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-012-9341-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-012-9341-7

Keywords

Navigation