Individual Paper(s)
Same-sex friendships experiences among young Muslim women in the UK
Nargis Khan
School of Psychology, University of Ulster
Professor Christine Liddell
School of Psychology, University of Ulster
Dr Liz Simpson
School of Psychology, University of Ulster
Background: Despite evidence of the importance of friendships in diverse cultures,
relatively little is known about friendships among Muslims. Self-disclosure
plays a major role in the development of friendship and is a crucial and
defining factor in the development of close relationships (Altman & Taylor,
1973). Similarly, the significance of parents’ involvement in their children’s
peer relationships has been highlighted in a growing body of empirical and
theoretical work (Ladd & Pettit, 2002).
Aims: This research sought to explore quality of same-sex friendships in
relation to Self-disclosure and the parenting styles of mothers and fathers
among young Muslim women in the UK.
Method: A questionnaire survey was undertaken, including 169 participants
within the age range of 18 to 25 years. The questionnaire included the Network
of Relationship Inventory, Revised Self-disclosure Scale and Parental Authority
Questionnaire.
Results: Multiple regression showed that Self-disclosure, and Authoritative and
Permissive parenting styles of mothers made significant contribution to
explaining quality of same-sex friendships.
Conclusions: The findings confirm the general trend that self-disclosure is indeed a
main contributor to the development of same-sex friendships and that the roles
of Muslim mothers and fathers differ in their daughters’ friendships
development.
