title: Explorations of close friendship: a concept analysis.
abstract: Friendship is a meaningful and highly significant human activity. Every psychiatric nurse would acknowledge the value of friendship to mental health. But what is friendship? Development of theoretical understanding and research based interventions using friendship are hampered by inconsistent definitions of friendship. Using concept analysis, the author discusses the characteristics of close friendship and its distinguishing features. The definition created has potential implications for future theory development, research, and nursing care.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Ohio State University, Columbus.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Caroline
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004532:Ego; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010553:Personality Development; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012944:Social Support