THE IMPACT OF FRIENDSHIPS ON THE DEVELOPM ENT OF LEISURE INTERESTS

In previous studies the relative similarity of the partners was seen a s a significant factor in determining friendship choices. The present study examines the question how established personal friendships foste r the development of shared leisure activities. For a group of 96 male friendship dyads the changes in similarities of leisure interest acti vities were compared with the interest changes stated in a control gro up. Significant changes regarding the similarity of leisure activities due to the influence of the friends were found. This effect only appl ies when examining all of the investigated activities in sum but not w ith regard to the respective interest domains.