Welcome to the Friendship and Resilience Study.

This is a study being conducted as part of a PhD by Ms Rebecca Graber under the supervision of Dr Anna Madill and Dr Rhiannon Turner at the Institute of Psychological Sciences at the University of Leeds.

This study aims to examine the ways in which close friendships can help individuals develop psychological resilience, enabling them to cope with difficult events in their lives. Potential applications of the research include providing an evidence base and targeted recommendations for community-based support programmes, anti-bullying policies, and care programmes. For example, the Access Academy, part of the Access and Community Engagement Team at the University of Leeds, has endorsed the project and will be incorporating findings into its work supporting schools throughout Leeds and West Yorkshire. The project is also working with the Community Alternatives Team with seeks to promote social inclusion in Leeds. More information about the psychological background to the study and its applications is available here.

The study consists of two parts. The first is an online questionnaire with items about friendship, social support, and how participants cope with difficult events. This part of the study takes place over two time points, approximately 7-10 months apart, to track developments over time. In the second part of the study, a few participants will be asked if they wish to complete an interview about their experiences. More information about the method and procedure of the study is available here.

The studies in this project have received ethical approval from the Institute of Psychological Sciences (questionnaire study ref. no. 09285-12, date of approval January 18th 2010; interview study ref. no. 10-0035, date of approval November 5th 2010). Detailed information about ethics for this study is available here.

Adults participating in this study will be eligible to win one of five £25 vouchers for Amazon.co.uk!

Are you aged 12-18 or aged 35-55? Interested in taking part? Click here.