Published by De Gruyter October 21, 2016

Factors that promote and impede other-sex friendships: a qualitative study of Iranian adolescent girls

Nasim Bahrami , Masoumeh Sibmar , William M. Bukowski , AbouAli Vedadhir and Bianca Panarello

From the journal International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health

https://doi.org/10.1515/ijamh-2016-0067

Showing a limited preview of this publication:

Abstract

Aim:

The aim of this study was to identify factors that promote and impede other-sex (OS) friendships in adolescent girls.

Methods:

A qualitative study conducted with 20 adolescent girls recruited in public places in Tehran, Iran. Information was collected through semi-structured interviews and coded via the conventional qualitative content analysis approach.

Results:

Four factors were identified that appeared to promote entry into OS friendships. These factors include (a) a poor understanding of perceived risks, (b) weak religious beliefs, (c) processes of identity formation, and (d) low self-esteem. In addition, six factors appeared to impede entry into these friendships: (a) self-confidence, (b) prioritizing education, (c) maintaining particular entertainment preferences, (d) awareness of prior unpleasant experiences with boys, (e) having strong religious convictions, and (f) shaming from significant others.

Conclusion:

These findings provide unique insights into the factors that stem from different levels of social complexity, which affect participation in a fundamental form of human experience.

Keywords: adolescents; friendship; Iran; other-sex

Corresponding author: Masoumeh Sibmar, PhD, Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences First floor, Vali-Asr Avenue, Cross of Vali-Asr and Neiaiesh Highway, Opposite to Rajaee Heart Hospital, Tehran 1996835119, Iran, Phone/Fax: 009821 88202516

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their gratitude to the adolescents who bravely participated in this study. The project was supported by the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. The fourth author’s work on this paper was supported by a grant from The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and by a University Research Chair in Early Adolescent Development.

Conflicts of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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Received: 2016-06-22

Accepted: 2016-08-16

Published Online: 2016-10-21