A Longitudinal Investigation of the Friendship Model of Relational Interdependent Self-Construal

Abstract

A four-wave longitudinal study examined how relational-interdependent self-construal (RISC) or the tendency to think of one’s self in terms of close relationships, was related to cognitions and behaviors within friendships. In same-sex friendships, in both concurrent and prospective analyses, own RISC was associated with perceived friend’s RISC, own relationship supportive behaviors, and own relationship quality. Perceived friend’s RISC predicted perceived friend’s relationship supportive behaviors. Own behaviors predicted fulfillment of own friendship functions, which predicted own relationship quality. In prospective analyses, behaviors mediated the RISC-friendship function relation, and behaviors and friendship functions both mediated the RISC-relationship quality relation. However, the influence of perceived friend’s RISC on subsequent variables was through its association with perceived friend’s behavior, which was associated with own friendship functions concurrently.

Keywords:

• behaviors
• friendships
• maintenance
• perceptions

Notes

1. 1. We also tested our model with all participants regardless of missing data by estimating missing values using the maximum likelihood function. Effects were similar to those reported in the prospective analysis in the paper.

2. 2. To address possible overlap in measures, we conducted exploratory factor analyses (EFA) using a principal components analysis with varimax rotation. For each wave we conducted an EFA with the following variables (a) own opener, disclosure, and friendship functions; (b) own opener, disclosure, liking, loving, and satisfaction; and (c) own friendship functions, liking, loving, and satisfaction. Three love scale items loaded higher on a factor other than its own factor for three or more waves and were dropped. Next, we examined items that loaded highest on their own factor and loaded .30 or higher on another factor for three or more waves. Based on item content, we dropped four items: one satisfaction and three friendship function items. With these revised scales effects were similar as reported in the prospective analysis in the paper.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marian M. Morry

Marian M. Morry is affiliated with the Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba.

Ashley Hall

Ashley Hall earned her MA in Social Psychology from the University of Manitoba.

Simmi Mann

Simmi Mann is affiliated with the Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba.

Mie Kito

Mie Kito earned her PhD in Social Psychology from the University of Manitoba and is currently affiliated with the Department of Behavioral Science, Hokkaido University.