How Does This Benefit Me?: A Case Study of the Impact of Long Term Circle of Friends Participation

Author

Casey WebbFollow

Date of Award

Fall 4-30-2021

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Education

First Advisor

Sara Platt

Second Advisor

Diane Lowry

Third Advisor

Denise Soares

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

This thesis examines Circle of Friends and the impacts of long term participation (greater than 2 years) in the program. Participants were selected from a Circle of Friends group that met weekly from 2012-2017 in the lower Midwest. There were 5 white female participants ranging in ages of 21-22 at the time of the interviews. Participants completed interview questions focusing on friendship, the COF program, and the impacts it had on them. Interviews were then transcribed and coded. Many of the participants discussed what it means to be a friend, including the specific activities of friendship, such as eating meals together, participating in activities together, and enjoying the daily tasks of life in the company of each other. The study also indicates that participation in COF gives students a space to openly talk about any issues in their lives that they wanted advice on, creating deeper connections and lasting friendships for the members.

Recommended Citation

Webb, Casey, "How Does This Benefit Me?: A Case Study of the Impact of Long Term Circle of Friends Participation" (2021). Honors Theses. 1805.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/1805

Accessibility Status

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