Description

The “Friendship Qualities Scale” (FQS) is a psychometric tool designed to assess the quality of friendships in children and adolescents. The scale includes various statements that examine five key dimensions of friendship: trust and loyalty, emotional support and mutual understanding, closeness and communication, fun and shared activities, and conflicts and their resolution. The FQS is used to capture children’s and adolescents’ perceptions of the quality of their relationships with their friends.

Objective

The primary objective of the FQS is to provide a reliable and valid means of assessing the quality of friendships. The information gathered through this tool can help researchers, educators, and psychologists better understand the dynamics of friendships and develop interventions that enhance the quality and stability of friendships. Additionally, this information can be used to monitor the social development of children and adolescents.

Analysis

The analysis of the data collected through the FQS involves the use of statistical methods to evaluate the reliability and validity of the tool. The reliability of the FQS is assessed using Cronbach’s alpha to ensure the internal consistency of the questions. Factor analysis is used to confirm the structure of the questionnaire and to identify the underlying dimensions of friendship quality. Additionally, correlation analysis can be conducted to examine the relationship of FQS scores with other psychological and social variables, such as self-esteem, social support, and mental health.

Calibration

The FQS is calibrated using a 5-point Likert scale, where participants are asked to rate each statement from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Total scores are calculated by summing the scores of the individual statements related to each dimension of friendship quality. Higher scores indicate higher friendship quality, while lower scores may indicate problems or lower quality in friendships.

References

Bukowski, W. M., Hoza, B., & Boivin, M. (1994). “Measuring friendship quality during pre- and early adolescence: The development and psychometric properties of the Friendship Qualities Scale.” Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 11(3), 471-484.

Berndt, T. J. (2002). “Friendship quality and social development.” Current Directions in Psychological Science, 11(1), 7-10.

Parker, J. G., & Asher, S. R. (1993). “Friendship and friendship quality in middle childhood: Links with peer group acceptance and feelings of loneliness and social dissatisfaction.” Developmental Psychology, 29(4), 611-621.

Rose, A. J. (2002). “Co-rumination in the friendships of girls and boys.” Child Development, 73(6), 1830-1843.

Ladd, G. W., & Kochenderfer, B. J. (1996). “Linking friendship quality to peer group acceptance and feelings of loneliness and social dissatisfaction.” In W. M. Bukowski, A. F. Newcomb, & W. W. Hartup (Eds.), The Company They Keep: Friendship in Childhood and Adolescence (pp. 322-345). Cambridge University Press.