Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Kaetlyn Cordingley
Faculty Mentor’s Department
Psychology
Abstract / Artist's Statement
The formation of friendships has been studied in a variety of contexts, notably among adolescents and young adults. Friendships can influence one’s economic status, romantic relationships, and quality of life. Several studies have found proximity to be a key factor in friendship formation. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many school systems were required to switch to online platforms and practice social distancing. The current study analyzed college students’ feelings of connectedness to friends made before college and friends made during college, and whether those who entered college during the height of the pandemic in 2020 experienced lower friendship quality outcomes with their college friends. An online survey was distributed to college students, mainly on the University of Montana campus. The survey asked students to fill out a friendship quality measurement for their closest childhood or high school friend and their closest friend made during college. The results indicate that overall, college students feel significantly more connected to their college friends compared to their childhood/high school friends. Students who entered college in 2020 do not appear to be significantly closer to their childhood/high school friends. Further research is needed to understand why students may feel more closely connected to their college friends.
Category
Social Sciences
Feelings of Connectedness: comparing pre-college and college friendships among university students
UC South Ballroom
The formation of friendships has been studied in a variety of contexts, notably among adolescents and young adults. Friendships can influence one’s economic status, romantic relationships, and quality of life. Several studies have found proximity to be a key factor in friendship formation. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many school systems were required to switch to online platforms and practice social distancing. The current study analyzed college students’ feelings of connectedness to friends made before college and friends made during college, and whether those who entered college during the height of the pandemic in 2020 experienced lower friendship quality outcomes with their college friends. An online survey was distributed to college students, mainly on the University of Montana campus. The survey asked students to fill out a friendship quality measurement for their closest childhood or high school friend and their closest friend made during college. The results indicate that overall, college students feel significantly more connected to their college friends compared to their childhood/high school friends. Students who entered college in 2020 do not appear to be significantly closer to their childhood/high school friends. Further research is needed to understand why students may feel more closely connected to their college friends.