Abstract

BOHORQUEZ LOPEZ, CATALINA  and  RODRIGUEZ-CARDENAS, DIEGO EFRÉN. Perception of Friendship in Adolescents: The Role of Social Networks. Rev. colomb. psicol. [online]. 2014, vol.23, n.2, pp.325-338. ISSN 0121-5469.

The purpose of this study was to understand the contribution of social networks to the perception of friendship among adolescents from two private schools. The research methodology was qualitative and hermeneutical, and focus group interviews served as the information collection strategy. Findings indicated that the construction of the concept of friendship is based on four categories: Empathy, Intimacy, Contribution to Personal Growth, and Unconditionality. Social networks were also found to help maintain relations of friendship mainly because they transcend spatiotemporal boundaries and contribute to the establishment of new friendships by facilitating communication when individuals lack social skills.

Keywords : friendship; social networks; adolescence; Internet; communication.

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