title: Factors that promote and impede other-sex friendships: a qualitative study of Iranian adolescent girls.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify factors that promote and impede other-sex (OS) friendships in adolescent girls.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study conducted with 20 adolescent girls recruited in public places in Tehran, Iran. Information was collected through semi-structured interviews and coded via the conventional qualitative content analysis approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four factors were identified that appeared to promote entry into OS friendships. These factors include (a) a poor understanding of perceived risks, (b) weak religious beliefs, (c) processes of identity formation, and (d) low self-esteem. In addition, six factors appeared to impede entry into these friendships: (a) self-confidence, (b) prioritizing education, (c) maintaining particular entertainment preferences, (d) awareness of prior unpleasant experiences with boys, (e) having strong religious convictions, and (f) shaming from significant others.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings provide unique insights into the factors that stem from different levels of social complexity, which affect participation in a fundamental form of human experience.
authors: Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran (Islamic Republic of).
authors: Nasim
authors: N
authors: Bahrami
authors: Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences First floor, Vali-Asr Avenue, Cross of Vali-Asr and Neiaiesh Highway, Opposite to Rajaee Heart Hospital, Tehran 1996835119, Iran (Islamic Republic of).
authors: Masoumeh
authors: M
authors: Sibmar
authors: Department of Psychology, Concordia University, West,Montreal, Quebec,Canada.
authors: William M
authors: WM
authors: Bukowski
authors: Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; and Visiting Research Fellow, Fertility and Reproduction Studies Group (FRSG), ISCA, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
authors: AbouAli
authors: A
authors: Vedadhir
authors: Psychology Department, Interpersonal Relationships and Development Laboratory, Concordia University (PY-205), West,Montreal, Quebec,Canada.
authors: Bianca
authors: B
authors: Panarello
keywords: Iran; adolescents; friendship; other-sex