How Do High School Adolescents Define a Good Friend versus a Bad Friend?

Abstract

This qualitative study aimed to examine the perceptions of adolescents at high schools about “good friends” and “bad friends”, and to classify their perceptions under inclusive themes. Data were collected from 126 high school students. As a result of the inductive thematic analyses of the interviews, three major binary themes emerged: “Reliable versus Unreliable”, “Foul-weather friend” versus “Fair-weather friend”, and “Empathetic versus Callous”. Based on the results of the analysis, it was asserted that a good friend is characterized by reliability in not lying to you and keeping you away from dangers, a sound support when you are in need, and finally a feeling of emotional intimacy. A bad friend is characterized by unreliability in lying to you and a potential risk of endangering you, no support when you are in need, and a feeling of emotional distance from you. Practical suggestions were given to practitioners within the framework of the findings.