A Comparison of Offline and Online Friendship Qualities at Different Stages of Relationship Development

Abstract

The present study was designed to compare offline and online friendship qualities at different stages of relationship development. The sample consisted of 162 Hong Kong Internet users. They were asked to think of two friends, one they knew through face-to-face interactions and one they knew through the Internet, and then describe the qualities of their offline and online friendships. Results revealed that offline friendships involved more interdependence, breadth, depth, code change, understanding, commitment, and network convergence than online friendships. However, although the qualities of both online and offline friendships improved as the duration of the relationship increased, the differences between the two types of friendships diminished over time. Furthermore, contrary to the evidence typically found for offline friendships, the qualities of cross-sex online friendships were higher than that of same-sex online friendship. These results suggest that the influence of the structural and normative constraints typically found in face-to-face interaction may be different in the online setting.

Tunes That Bind?

“…We know from previous research that cross-sex friendships are less common offline than same-sex friendships, forming as little as 20% of adult friendships (Kalmijn's, 2002). Cross-sex friendships may be more likely to occur online (Parks & Roberts 1998) and be closer and more developed than same-sex online friendships when they do (Chan & Cheng 2004). Age homophily is powerful offline, "stronger than any other dimension" (McPherson et al 2001, p. 424) in close friendship.…”

“…Chan and Cheng's (2004) version of Parks and Roberts' (1998) 18-item instrument assessed relational development. Previous research demonstrates that the scale assesses several manifestations of relational development such as "the feeling of mutual dependence," "the variety of conversational topics shared," and "the degree of self-disclosure" (Chan and Cheng 2004, p. 310).…”

Social networking friendships: A cross-cultural comparison of network structure between MySpace and Wretch

“…In traditional face-to-face interpersonal relationships, a popular belief is that cross-sex friendships are harder to develop because of the restrictions of both structural factors (such as the lack of opportunities for both sexes to meet and to interact continuously) and normal factors (such as the social disapproval if married people cultivate cross-sex relationships) (Chan & Cheng, 2004). After reviewing relevant literature, which indicated that both structural and normal factors were limited in online settings, Chan, Cheng and their associates (Chan & Cheng, 2004;Cheng, Chang, &Tong, 2006) conducted two waves of studies on associations between online and offline friendship qualities and gender compositions.…”

“…After reviewing relevant literature, which indicated that both structural and normal factors were limited in online settings, Chan, Cheng and their associates (Chan & Cheng, 2004;Cheng, Chang, &Tong, 2006) conducted two waves of studies on associations between online and offline friendship qualities and gender compositions. They found that in online settings, qualities of cross-sex friendship were generally higher than those of same-sex friendship.…”

“…profile, and also because gender has long been a focus in the area of interpersonal relationships (Chan & Cheng, 2004). MySpace and Wretch, two of the popular SNSs in the USA and Taiwan respectively, were selected as the research sites for the present study.…”