Levels of Social Relationships

Social relationships operate on multiple levels, each playing a distinct role in shaping an individual’s social well-being. Moreover, the way each person defines and experiences the concept of friendship varies, often evolving over the different stages of life (Matthews, 1986). Berkman et al. (2000) proposed a comprehensive model of social networks and health, identifying various dimensions of social relationships:

1. Intimate Ties: include close family relationships and intimate partnerships. They are characterized by high emotional intensity, reciprocity, and frequency of contact. These relationships often provide the most substantial emotional and practical support.
2. Relational Ties: includes close friends and extended family. While not as intense as intimate ties, these relationships still offer significant emotional support and can be crucial for maintaining social identity and self-worth.
3. Weak Ties: are connections with acquaintances, colleagues, and community members. While less emotionally intense, weak ties can be valuable for information exchange, social influence, and providing a sense of community belonging.
4. Social Participation: involves engagement in community activities, volunteer work, or religious organizations. Such participation can provide a sense of purpose and community integration.
5. Social Engagement: refers to the performance of meaningful social roles, such as being an employee, parent, or community leader. These roles contribute to one’s social identity and sense of value.

In another study conducted by Policarpo (2015), our primary meanings attributed to friendships were identified: family-oriented, trust-oriented, self-oriented, and presence-oriented.

The family-oriented category perspective views friendships as akin to or part of family relationships, often encompassing individuals with whom bonds carry an institutional dimension, such as spouses, children, parents, or grandparents. Examples include statements like “my children and my husband,” “my family,” or “he’s like a brother”.

The trust-oriented category centres on trust as the defining element of friendship, without necessarily involving unconditional support or familial connections. Statements reflecting this view include “someone I trust completely,” “someone I can always rely on,” or “someone I would entrust my child to.”

The self-oriented category defines friendship as a vehicle for self-expression and personal support, emphasizing the role of a friend in facilitating self-disclosure, self-reflection, and emotional reinforcement Examples include “someone who knows as much about us as we do ourselves,” “someone I tell everything/things I don’t tell anyone else,” or “someone who supports us unconditionally”.

The presence-oriented category describes friendship with consistent presence and reliability, emphasizing being there for one another during everyday life and significant events. Examples include “someone who is there in good and bad times” or “someone who is there whenever we need”.