ABSTRACT
Social interaction occupies a position of consid-nerable importance in the lives of young adults. Much waking time is spent participating in and thinking about social activity with friends, family, and romantic partners (Csikszentmihalyi & Larson, 1984; Robinson, 1977). Satisfying social bonds are a primary source of psychological well-being and happiness (Argyle, 1987), and through the vehicle of social support, have been shown to benefit physical health (Cohen, 1988; Reis, 1984). Moreover, the absence of desired levels of social contact and closeness with friends and relatives typically produces distress, ranging from mild loneliness and dysphoria to extreme depression and suicidal tendencies (Peplau & Goldston, 1984; Reis, 1990; Veroff, Kulka, & Douvan, 1981). Retrospections by older persons about sources of satisfaction during their lifetimes also assign a preeminent role to warm relationships with both family and friends (e.g., Sears, 1977; Vaillant, 1977).
