Investigating the Sacred Bond of Friendship

The assignment content discusses the importance of friendship, highlighting both positive and negative experiences. It emphasizes that even good friendships can turn toxic and unbearable, leading to the need to walk away. The study also explores how external factors, such as relationship breakdown, hierarchy, and age variations, affect one's subjective experience of relationship identity. The findings suggest that these factors have a profound impact on an individual's perception of themselves within a relationship.

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Qualitative Techniques and Research Design for Psychologists
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Course Number:

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Contents
Abstract............................................................................................................................................3
Theme..........................................................................................................................................3
Research question............................................................................................................................4
Data collection method................................................................................................................4
Method of analysis...........................................................................................................................5
Findings/results................................................................................................................................6
Discussion........................................................................................................................................8
References........................................................................................................................................9

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Abstract
The entire study will revolve around the qualitative techniques and the research design by the
psychologists. The research topic is entirely based on the subject matter of friendship and the
data obtained for this research is by using the primary methods. The main topic was more
highlighted by conducting an interview with a person named Trevor who was once an instructor
of a fitness center and met a lot of people of different mentality during that time. Trevor very
well discussed and gave his valuable views on friendship. On the other hand, it was also noticed
that he was thrown out of his duty when he became sick and at that point of time he made a lot of
friends where some were genuine others were not. The specific method used for this study is
qualitative in nature and known as the thematic analysis. It has been also found out from this
study that there are different kinds of friends. The vital conclusion that can be drawn from this
research is friendship has different faces and all of the friends are not same. Some friends are like
family while others are not.
The current qualitative study is concerned with providing an exploration into the role of
external factors in the constantly changing subjective experience of relationship
identity. A transcript of a semi-structured interview from a single participant was
analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), allowing for the
production of a descriptively subjective account. Three core themes are identified in this
analysis; (1) Relationship breakdown, (2) Hierarchical relationships, (3) Generational
disparity. The triad of themes identified throughout allows for a greater understanding
of how external factors lead to alterations in the subjective experience of ones
relationship identity.

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Research question
How is the subjective experience of relationship identity altered by external factors?
Methodology
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Embracing an idiographic
approach, (Biggerstaff, & Thompson, 2008), interpretative phenomenological
analysis (IPA) adopts the theoretical stance that both historical and
sociocultural contexts are at the forefront of how we as humans come to
understand and process information about our lives, (Shinebourne, 2011). The
current study aims to investigate perspectives taken on friendship, exploring
the subjective experiences of the individual in relation to such a standpoint.
In order to meet these aims, IPA is identified as the most suitable approach to
take.
According to Biggerstaff, & Thompson (2008), interpretative phenomenological
analysis is considered to be an idiographic approach. This is considered to adopt both
sociocultural and historical contexts and thus it is necessary for human beings to focus
and understand the different types of primary information about an individual’s life
(Shinebourne, 2011). This report will highlight the different perspectives on friendship
and it will describe the subjective experiences in relation to an individual. Therefore, IPA
can be considered as the most suitable approach in this case.

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Data collection method
‘Trevor’ is the pseudonym given to the participant taking part in this study. All identifying
participant information has been adjusted to ensure confidentiality, in line with ethical
principles outlined by the BPS. A semi- structured face-to-face individual interview was
conducted at Liverpool John Moores University surrounding the topic of friendship and
its related facets. Examples of questions used throughout the interview are: ‘Can you
tell me about your own friends and what they mean to you?’ ‘What does it mean to be
friends with someone?’ The interviewer was not known to the participant. The interview
was audio and video recorded, with the purpose of it being made available online as a
teaching tool. The video recordings were available to download in four segments, each
fifteen minutes in length, with both the participant and interviewer in clear view with the
use of a split screen. The interview was also available online in both Jeffersonian and
playscript transcriptions for analysis purposes. For the purpose of the current study, the
data was obtained from the ‘TORMUL DATASET TEACHING RESOURCES’ webpage.
The participant was informed of the online availability of the interview prior to it taking
place, alongside the right to withdraw the data prior to it being made available online.
The opportunity to review the interview material before it was made publicly available
online was granted to the participant. (rephrase them)
The word “Trevor” is considered to be a pseudonym that is used to indicate the
participants in the study. The information of the participants are maintained in an confidential
manner and thus it is in accordance with the ethical principles of BPS. Moreover, a semi
structured interview has also been conducted at the Liverpool John Moores University on the
topic related to friendship and its related terms. The participants were unknown to the
interviewer and the entire interview was recorded. On the other hand, video recording was alos
done of the interview so that it can be made available in online modes and thus can be used as
teaching tool. The recordings were divided into four segments of fifteen minutes and the play
script and Jeffersonian transcriptions were used for the analysis purpose. The data was obtained

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from the webpage of “TORMUL DATASET TEACHING RESOURCES”. The participants who
were interviewed was informed that their interview would be available in online mode. However,
it was necessary to take the required permission from the user before accessing them.
Method of analysis
The interviewee made it clear to the interviewer that friendship generally has many faces and
individual experiences a lot during the friendship. It has been also closely observed and
witnessed that there are a lot of emotions that are closely attached with a friendship that can be
both bad as well as good emotions. It can be also said that emotions play a vital role in the
subject matter of friendship. Furthermore, in a friendship that matters the most is the relationship
that is maintained with one another. Throwing light on the above-mentioned discussion it can be
very well stated that all of the friendships are not same in nature and each and every friendship
goes through a tough phase where their friendship is itself tested. There are some of the people
with whom an individual feels good in the friendship while there are other people with whom
friendship generally is a bitter experience. In both of the cases, an individual tends to learn
something (Smith, Flowers and Larkin, 2009). It has been closely witnessed in the interview that
the interviewee namely Trevor acknowledges that there are a large variety of friendships, for
instance, some friends are more like a family while some individuals are only meant for going to
clubs, and parties. There is a huge difference between the two of the people that are mentioned in
the above statement. Then there are also some of the friends or the so call friends he stated where
the individual will not be free enough to do some of the stuff. Furthermore, Trevor also
elaborated that to some people an individual will be more open to sharing their life while with
the other people the individual will give partial details with regards to what exactly is going on in

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their life. Arguably, an individual also creates a lot of time for the people who they as their real
friends and they tend to spend hardly any time with the people who are not their real friends.
The phenomenological analysis was conducted alongside guidelines set out by Smith,
Flowers, & Larkin, (2009). Initially, the interview transcript was read through a number
of times, allowing a familiarity with the account of the participant to be gained in line
with the questions put forward by the interviewer. Alongside these readings, preliminary
notes were made, identifying any initial interpretations or themes that occurred
throughout the text; these were made in the left hand margin, meanwhile any emergent
themes that occurred relating to key aspects of the passages were noted in the right
hand margin of the page. Any emergent themes, which appeared to relate to one
another, were noted down on a separate sheet of paper, before analyzing them for
suitability against the data. Upon completion of this process, the final superordinate
themes used were produced that are used in this study. After arriving at all of the final
superordinate themes, they were ordered to form a 5 systematic report. Themes that
failed to fit with this systematically developed structure were not used in the final
report. Whilst the process adopted here is similar to that assumed in grounded theory,
IPA is the study of sense making on a subjectively idiographic level, whilst grounded
theory concerns itself with the study of social processes, ( this is the correct method
please rephrase for me)
Smith, Flowers and Larkins (2009) has conducted the phenomenological analysis
and the interview transcript was read several times keeping into account the process of
familiarity that is needed to be gained by the participants. The preliminary notes were
made along with the readings and thus it has helped in identifying the initial
interpretation accordingly in the left hand margin. On the other hand, the emergent
themes related to the varying key aspects were highlighted on the right hand of the

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page margin. The final superordinate themes were used in the entire study and thus
there must be proper ordering in a systematic way. Therefore IPA is considered to be
subjectively an idiographic process and it is concerned with the study of social
processes.
Findings/results
After analyzing the entire interview there are some findings/results that will be discussed in this
entire segment. One of the main findings from the interview is that friends that are real tend to
bring ultimate joy/happiness to an individual while the friends who only pretends to befriend
they do not bring any kind of joy instead one feels down and upset spending time with them. In
the interview, Trevor stated that he used to have a very good friendship with an individual who
he had known for a long time. There was a time when his friend wanted him as the best man
beside him during his wedding but due to his illness he could not attend instead he requested
another friend who was also quite dear to him for taking his position. The friend canceled at the
last minute after assuring Trevor that he will not fail him no matter what but this incident
shocked him a lot and left him shattered. It can be said that it was one of the most disappointing
as well as a bad moment where a person has no choice but to walk away from the friendship due
to a bad experience in the friendship. In the interview, Trevor also mentioned that most of the
times he tries to control certain type of situations that occur for ensuring that the friendship does
not break as friendship is quite dear to everyone and no one wants to break a friendship until and
unless there is some strong reason behind it. In the interview, he also stated that a person also
tends to weight the positive and negative things both side by side in the matter of friendship and
it is also a right thing to do. It has been also stated by him that if in the future Trevor thinks about
quitting a certain friendship then he will be judging the friendship as a whole Throwing light on

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the above-mentioned statement it can be also said that Trevor walked away from that friend
when he failed him in one of the most vital and toughest phases of life that is when Trevor
requested his friend to be the best man for one his dear friend's wedding but he did not show up.
Hence, he states that the real examination of friendship comes in the toughest phases of life and
it is the time when one can exactly judge if an individual is their true friend or not at that point of
time. On the contrary, Trevor also highlighted the fact that he did not want to walk away from
the friendship but when he realized that the friendship was becoming more damaging then
Trevor thought that it was a wise decision to walk away from it. Additionally, it has been also
found out that some friendships are so good that they tend to develop a person positively by
providing immense happiness and joy. It is mainly highlighted in the friendship of Trevor and his
friend Tom. In the interview, Trevor stated that the kind of friendship he had with Tom made
him feel like he has known him forever and they are also a part of the family. It has been also
said that there was a lot of time when they quarreled a lot but their bond is so true and strong that
did not break their friendship instead they forgot their differences and moved on. It can be also
concluded from this that friendship that is true in nature never fades away for anything.
Upon conducting analysis of the data sample, a number of gestalts were identified, however
three core themes were ascertained in relation to the research question; ‘How is the subjective
experience of relationship identity altered by external factors?’. The following themes shall be
presented throughout this paper:
 Relationship Breakdown
 Hierarchical Relationships
 Generational Disparity

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Relationship Breakdown
The theme ‘relationship breakdown’ encapsulates the external factors responsible for the
disintegration, and in some cases, the eventual collapse of certain relationships throughout
Trevor’s life, with close reflection upon how these breakdowns in friendships have changed the
way he views his overall relationship identity.
After conducting the data analysis, several gestalts were identified and the core themes
were found out in relation to the research question “How is the subjective experience identity
being altered by any factors ?”. It is necessary to identify the following themes in the paper.
These themes are a. Relationship breakdown b. Hierarchical Relationships c. Generational
Disparity
Relationship breakdown
This term is used in encapsulating the different external factors that are responsible for
the process of disintegration and thus helps in the collapse of different relationships in Trevor’s
life. It also helps in close reflection and identifies the different breakdowns in friendship that
plays an important role in changing the relationship identity.
I’d known him for a long time, but er he started taking drugs and he changed….he changed so
much that er you know had to walk away’
(DON’T REPHASE THE YELLOW)
With reference to the external factor of substance abuse, there is a prominent feeling in the above
extract that Trevor’s friend no longer shares the same attributes and characteristics that Trevor
values in a friendship, possibly leading Trevor to feel a loss of a collective identity within the

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relationship that the two once shared. In the phrase ‘He changed so much that er you had to walk
away’ there is a sense that Trevor views this parting of a close friendship negatively, and whilst
still possibly regretful of his actions in walking away from the relationship, felt compelled to
walk away at the time due to the influence of the external factor of drug use upon the changing
dynamics of their relationship. Due to the pure nature of this negative view that Trevor takes
regarding the collapse of the relationship, a feeling that this past experience has had a causal
impact upon his future relationships, and thus his own subjective view on his own relationship
identity is reached.
In relation to the external substance abuse, it has been found that there must be prominent
feeling among the individuals and Trevor’s friend will not possess the same characteristic that is
considered to be valuable by Trevor. Thus, Trevor will feel the loss of collective identity with the
relationship that is shared by him. According to the phrase “He changed so much that er you had
to walk away”, it can be said that Trevor has viewed the negative effect of friendship and thus he
wanted to walk away from these kind of relationship. Therefore, it can be said that due to this
pure nature Trevor has decided to consider the collapse of this relationship and it had no casual
effect on his future relationships.
‘Jim he just er, it just kept getting worse and worse and more selfish and selfish, saying nasty
things about my friend’s wife behind her back and like, and that, and then you know he was
going to my friend and saying stuff about me and he’s like trying to play us off’
Describing the actions of his friend as ‘selfish’, there is further suggestion that Trevor feels he
has grown further away from the cumulative relationship identity once shared with Jim,
emphasized by Trevor’s recognition of the newfound egotistical nature that he beholds. In

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conjunction with this self- absorbed view of his friend, Trevor goes on to describe how his friend
was unpleasant about another friend’s wife, leading to the assumption that an evolutionary pack
mentality may have developed, with a feeling of responsibility to defend his friends wife against
the unrelenting personal attacks on her, amounting to a shift in relationship identity from an
identity which maintains peace, to one that aims to guard and protect. Later on in the passage,
Trevor recalls how his friend then went on to talk about him behind his back, and in this instance
it may be observed that Trevor has experienced a metamorphosis in the relationship, from being
a third-person observing attacks on someone else at arms length, to receiving personal attacks on
the self. The effects following such malfunction in a relationship are clear to see in the following
passage:
It can be said that the actions of his friend is considered to be selfish and thus Trevor
feels that he is taken away by the cumulative relationship identity that was shared by Jim. Trevor
does not feel good to describe about his friend’s wife and thus it affects his mentality. Although
he had a feeling of responsibility to defend his friend’s wife against the personal attacks, but this
has led to shift the relationship and thus remain in peace. He has also recalled how his friend has
witnessed a metamorphosis in the relationship by being a third party on someone else’s
relationship and to receive personal attacks upon oneself. This is cited clearly in the below
paragraph:
‘Effects people so you know it’s understandable but you get to a certain point where you have to
think ‘hang on this is just not working’ [INT: mm], I suppose it’s like you know when you’ve
had a bad relationship in the past and you, you know there comes a time when you say you know
hands up you know it’s not doing me any good you’ve got to, you’ve got to walk away’

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Trevor makes the comparison of the breakdown of his friendship with that of a bad relationship,
discussing the way in which the need to walk away in both circumstances is necessary. Such
comparison between the two suggests past experiences of relationships, which have turned sour,
and therefore up to this point, his identity within relationships is likely to have altered, from that
of sharing a reciprocal bond with another self, to that of having a hostile relationship with the
same individual at a later point in time. This experience is filled with emotion, and the
connotation here is that Trevor once viewed this particular friendship in the past as a very
powerful one, however the time has come for a conscious uncoupling to occur between the two
selves. This aspect of breaking away from a friendship is emphasised in the phrase ‘It’s not
doing me any good’, here there is a sense of a respect for one’s own emotional feelings, putting
the self at the forefront of importance, and reaching a termination in the relationship.
Hierarchical Relationships
‘Hierarchical relationships’ represent Trevor’s subjective distinction of different relationships
throughout his life and their individual representations to him. External environmental factors
such as school, work, and university all alter the subjective perception of one’s identity within
relationships, as demonstrated in the relationship distinctions made in the following extract:
Trevor has tried to make a comparison on the breakdown of friendship and thus considered it as
a bad relationship. He has highlighted it in such a way that there is a need to walk away in both
the cases when it is deemed necessary. These two comparisons reflect the past experiences of
relationships that are considered to be sour and therefore it needs alteration. There must be
sharing of reciprocal bond with one another and this is possible through the hostile kind of
relationship with the same individual ta some point of time. This experience is considered to be
filled with emotions and Trevor has viewed friendship in the past as a powerful one. There must

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be time for conscious coupling and this aspect is considered to be important for every kind of
relationship that is highlighted in the phrase “It’s not doing me any good”. This indicates a sense
of respect of one’s own emotional feeling and thus putting oneself at the forefront that is
considered to be important and thus helps in reaching a hierarchical relationship.
According to Trevor “hierarchical relationship” is considered to be subjective of different
relationship throughout the life of an individual and the external environment plays an important
role in such cases.
‘Yeah different relationships, some that are more like family, and some are just people that you
go out and have a drink with and you know some like you’ll see like on a work relationship’
Referring to a hierarchy of friends; family, friends to drink with, and work-based friendships,
Trevor identifies differences in his relationships within his life; making reference to activities
partaken within these friendships e.g. ‘have a drink with’. The constituent categories that Trevor
has placed his respective friendships into shows how Trevor subjectively views each
relationship, and in turn views his own relationship identity with regards to each individual
connection. When referring to relationships revolving around going to the pub and socializing,
Trevor speaks about the other individuals as ‘people’, whilst the phrase ‘family’ is used to
describe closer relationships. There is an inkling here, judging by the terminology used, that the
sense of warmth towards the two respective relationships is different and thus feelings such as
that of trust may vary between the two contexts, leading to the formation of a relationship
hierarchy existing within Trevor’s life, of which impacts upon his overall sense of relationship
identity. Such relationship disparity is once again clear in the following extract:

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While referring to the hierarchy of friends, families and the work based relationships,
Trevor has highlighted that there are differences in the relationships and thus it is necessary to be
partaken within these friendships. There are different constituent categories that have been
identified by Trevor and thus he views these relationships in a subjective way and thus turns his
own view on the relationship that is connected to the individual. He has referred to different
kinds of relationships such as going around the pub and socializing. Trevor as highlighted the
concept of individuals as persons and family as closer relationships and thus this feelings are
considered to be different in case of different individuals. Therefore, it can be said that Trevor’s
life has impact on the overall sense of relationship identity and this is highlighted in the extract
below:
‘I wouldn’t, wouldn’t call them proper friends, but they’re just like you know associates that
you know ‘how are you? And how’s your wife and daughter’ and you know and it’s like ‘oh how
are you and Stephanie?’ in an email and you email back and if you saw them and that you’d have
a pint with them [INT: yeah], or you know if you saw them in the street you’d stop and shake
hands and talk and [INT: yeah] you know it’s there, it’s a friendship but it’s not a best friend type
of friendship’
Using the term ‘wouldn’t’ consecutively when describing the lack of a ‘proper’ friendship
between himself and his relationships now with people at his previous job, Trevor identifies the
relationship hierarchy that is so prevalent in each of our individual lives, and sense of self within
the social world. These individuals are later referred to as ‘associates’, a term connoting
relationships that Trevor gets along with and speaks to, whilst at the same time fails to identify

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with them as ‘friends’. Discussing the small talk that Trevor engages in with these ‘associates’
over email, it becomes apparent that Trevor views his relationship identity in this particular
context as that of a polite engager, with reciprocal small talk occurring back and forth between
him and his ex- colleagues. Referring to activities that Trevor would engage in if he were to meet
these ‘associates’, he says he would ‘shake hands and talk’, or ‘have a pint with them’, in this
identification of activities that Trevor might do if he were to see his former colleagues, it is
apparent that whilst these individuals may not be all that close to Trevor, he still views that he
would have positive communication with them, were he to see them again.
Generational Disparity
The third and final theme in this analysis of changes in the subjective experience of
relationship identity is ‘Generational disparity’. This theme refers to the external factor of the
age of others in relation to how Trevor views his relationship identity when conversing with
various individuals. ‘
The term wouldn’t is not used to describe lack of friendship between individuals and
himself on previous job. Trevor has identified the relationship hierarchy in such a way that is
prevalent among the individuals and thus there is a sense of self among the individuals. These
individuals are referred as associates and thus considered to have connecting relationships that
Trevor has highlighted and thus identified them as friends. By discussing on the small talk,
Trevor has tried to get engaged with his associates via email and this is considered to be apparent
in his relationship. He is also considered to be a polite engager with reciprocal talks that takes
place between individuals and thus this are considered to be prevalent among his ex-colleagues.

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Trevor has highlighted the concept of positive communication among his colleagues and thus
wanted to see them again.
Generational Disparity
This is considered to be the third and the final theme of analysis that is necessary for
subjective change in the relationship identity and thus it is termed as “generational disparity”.
This refers to the external factors in relationship to the identity that is considered by Trevor when
conversing with other individuals.
I mean er probably a bit, a bit closer but I mean you know I will, I will talk to the younger
ones about Button Moon although they haven’t got a clue what I’m talking about’
In this extract, Trevor concedes that he is ‘closer’ to the mature students comparative to the
younger students, an admittance that certifies different relationship identities that Trevor
withholds dependent on the age of the individual, seemingly sharing closer bonds with his
mature student counterparts.
Despite showing evidence of differences in relationship typologies as a factor of age, Trevor
does discuss how he talks to the younger students, whilst acknowledging that the age disparity
between him and them means that they may not understand all of the references he makes.
Whilst the phrase ‘they haven’t got a clue what I’m talking about’ could be conveyed in either a
positively warm light or a negative light, the term ‘they’ when referring to the younger cohort
suggest that if not externally, Trevor certainly internally views them as different to himself, with
the use of the word ‘them’ symbolic of an ‘us and them’ relationship, arguably referring to the

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younger students as the out-group. The distinction here within the young/mature divide is
emblematic of Trevor’s in- house relationship identity, and evidence that his identity with
younger and older students does differ somewhat. This internal distinction is once again
discussed in a more external, sociological fashion:
Trevor considers himself to be closer to the mature students in comparison to the
younger students and thus has highlighted the differences in relationship depending upon the age
of the individual. It has been found that much closer bonds are shared among the matured
individuals than the younger counterparts.
There are differences in the relationship typologies and age is considered to be an
important factor in this case. Trevor has not conducted his discussion with the younger students
and thus he has failed to acknowledge the age disparity among the individuals. According to the
phrase “they haven’t got a clue what I’m talking about” it is evident that there is a positive warm
light that has to be conveyed and this term is used to refer to the younger counterpart. Trevor has
internally viewed different individual in a different way and the use of the word “them”, “us and
them” is considered to be symbolic in this case. He has argued that this refers to the younger
counterparts and they are considered to be the out-groups in certain cases. On the other hand,
there are differences between the mature and the young students and this helps in defining the in-
house relationship identity. Moreover, this identity can be considered similar to the younger
students and the older students are considered to be somewhat different. Therefore, the internal
distinction is discussed in a more sociological and external fashion.
‘I think it’s different with me cos er you know I know a lot of mature students who are like ‘we’re
mature students, they’re young students’, and it’s like the younger students ‘we’re young

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students, they’re mature students’, and, but with my background it’s like everybody’s a person
[INT: well yeah, absolutely], you know someone talks to me I’m gunna talk back and you know’
In spite of the previous commentary identifying Trevor as holding internally different
relationship identities with both the younger and mature students, the above passage suggests
that Trevor views everybody as a person, rather than splitting and categorizing; ‘but with my
background it’s like everybody’s a person’. This incongruence between the way Trevor comes
across (as internally categorizing the young/old, yet externally remarking how he views
everyone the same) may represent differences between Trevor’s subconscious and
conscious relationship identity, subconsciously categorizing the young from the old,
whilst consciously viewing people as the same regardless of variations in age.
‘I suppose that’s the psychology side, you sit there you know and you listen to them,
you know like people with stories about the war, and then you know younger people
have got their own stories [INT: yeah], and you know it’s, it’s good er, it’s been a good
like building block for me to you know learn how to talk to, talk to people and interact
with different people so I mean I’m lucky I suppose’
(don’t rephrase the yellow)
Referring to the role of listening skills and the implementation of psychology when
conferring with both the young and the old, Trevor discusses the effect that age as an
external factor has upon the conversation between him and his younger/older
counterparts. Trevor refers to himself as ‘lucky’ in that he is able to interact with
different people of different ages, and through such variations in communication and

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contact, it is apparent that Trevor’s relationship identity changes over time dependent
upon external factors, such as generational disparity
Discussion
The entire study and the theme are completely based on the emotions to a great extent. It has
been also highlighted in the entire report that how friendship is based on the various situations
and how a person feels when they are deeply involved in this sacred bond known as friendship.
However, it was also observed that friendship can be good or bad in both ways it teaches
everyone something. Trevor gave a perfect example of what friendship is when he highlighted
both of his good and bad experience with regards to friendship. It has been also noticed that
there are some of the friends who also tends to upset an individual by taking away their mental
peace. In this situation even if a person tries to mend the situation nothing can be done if the
situation becomes toxic and unbearable one has to walk away. The conclusion of these findings
can be practiced by the individual for creating happiness in their friendships otherwise one day
they might wake up and find out that they have lost one of their dear friends and when they
realize it will be very late. It can be also said that disagreements are part of any kind of
relationship but a person who really values a friendship will always make a sincere effort and
control the particular situation (Frost, 2011). The above-mentioned elements are some of the
useful findings and the research in future should strongly stress on the efforts which can be made
to return joyfulness to the friendships which go bitter.

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The purpose of the current study was to investigate how the subjective experience of relationship
identity was altered through external factors in ones
life. Specific focus was placed upon understanding this experience in relation to relationship
breakdown, relationship hierarchy, and generational disparity. Whilst the use of a single
participant in the current study results in a lack of generalizability regarding alterations in
relationship identity dependent upon external factors, the study does shed light upon reasons for
ones subjective relationship identity to change through the progression of time, with the
influence of external, uncontrollable factors (e.g. work commitments, age, and lifestyle change).
The primary role of IPA is to take an idiographic view upon the subjective behaviours of
individuals, and therefore analysis of a larger sample size is not necessarily warranted. As a
consequence of the double hermeneutic process of IPA, conclusions made upon the data are a
fine assortment of the participants’ own thoughts and feelings, and my own subjective
interpretations, therefore precaution should be sought when drawing conclusions from the
findings of this current study. In relation to overall findings from the current study, it is
undisputable that external factors such as those investigated, (relationship breakdown, hierarchy
of relationships, and age variations) have a substantive and very profound effect upon how the
individual self recognizes their own relationship identity. In the current study, it is apparent that
the subjective experience of relationship breakdown has numerous implications upon the self,
and has the ability to alter ones relationship identity from that of an observer in a relationship, to
that of an individual whom is directly targeted by another individual, a transgression from a
strong, in control subjective relationshipidentity, to that of a vulnerable individual within the
relationship setting. Additionally, in the second analytical theme, ‘hierarchical relationships’
evidence is shown for differences in perceived closeness in a relationship that may influence how

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the subject internally reflects upon and views that particular bond, with differences in
relationship hierarchy relative to the particular setting, (e.g. university, work etc.). The third and
final theme, ‘generational disparity’ looks into how age variations impact upon the relationship
identity of ones self. We see in this theme that differences in age do significantly impact upon
how an individual perceives their own identity within a relationship. Whilst interpretative
phenomenological analysis was employed as the method of analysis in this instance, previous
research into friendship has used discourse analysis to provide accounts of various language
features in relationship and friendship domains. Whilst discourse analysis as an analytical
method provides an understanding of the speech and language features used in various contexts,
the current study is aimed at gaining an interpretative understanding of relationship identity, of
which would not have been possible had discourse analysis been applied. Future research within
the interpretive paradigm investigating relationship identity could seek to investigate gender
differences in the formation of relationship identity, with specific attention paid to various life
course transitions (e.g. parenthood) as external factors. The findings from the current study have
no comparative findings from other studies, and therefore15 further interpretive studies into
relationship identity should be encouraged in order to further expand the literature.

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References
Crowley, C. (2010). Writing up the qualitative methods research report. In M. Forrester (Ed.)
Doing Qualitative Research in Psychology: A practical guide. London: Sage.
Frost, N., 2011. Qualitative research methods in psychology: Combining core approaches.
McGraw-Hill Education (UK).
Smith, JA., Flowers, P. and Larkin M. (2009). Interpretative Phenomenological
Analysis. London: Sage.
Willig, C. (2008). Introducing qualitative research in psychology: Adventures in theory and
method. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill/Open University Press.

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