Amizade e bem-estar subjetivo

Abstract

Friendship contributes to subjective well-being, and this study analyzed the relationship between these variables. 116 university students from Belo Horizonte and 116 from Porto Alegre, both cities in Brazil, responded to the McGill Friendship Questionnaires, the PANAS scales and the Life Satisfaction Scale. Women showed more satisfaction and positive feelings towards their best friend; students from Belo Horizonte reported more negative feelings; friendship satisfaction correlated positively with life satisfaction and positive affect, but did not predict life satisfaction. There was a close, yet not causal, relation between subjective well-being and friendship. Joint satisfaction with friends, family, and romance is necessary for subjective well-being, as suggested by scientific literature. Research in Brazil could direct efforts to joint analyzes of these relationships.