The interdependence of horizontal family relationships and friendships relates to higher well‐being

Assuming individual differences in the satisfaction of affiliative needs, the authors hypothesize that people maintain friendships differently depending on the number and the quality of their horizontal family relationships, and this relates to differences in subjective well‐being. These predictions were tested in 2 studies involving German adults aged 30 to 86 years. Contrary to previous studies, the authors studied the importance of friends in relation to family relationships and identified friends in participants' networks based on predefined criteria. Results showed that less close relationships with horizontal family were accompanied by greater closeness to friends and vice versa, and this was related to higher well‐being. The findings demonstrate that people shape their relationships in accordance to their social environment, and benefit from doing so by enhanced well‐being.