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McGill Friendship Questionnaire – Friendship Functions
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About McGill Friendship Questionnaire – Friendship Functions
Scale Name
McGill Friendship Questionnaire – Friendship Functions
Author Details
Mendelson, M. J. & Aboud, F.
Translation Availability
Not Sure
Background/Description
The McGill Friendship Questionnaire – Friendship Functions (MFQ-FF) developed after the authors were involved in research on friendship in childhood and early adolescence (Aboud & Mendelson, 1996). The MFQ-FF seeks to examine 6 distinct friendship functions in late adolescence and adulthood. Individual friendships will vary in the degree to which they fulfill some or all of these functions.
The McGill Friendship Questionnaire- Friendship Function (MFQ-FF) consists of 30 items. It measures feelings about a friend/friendship in late adolescence and adulthood. It is divided into 6 subscales based on functions of friendship: stimulating companionship, help, intimacy, reliable alliance, self-validation, and emotional security. Statements of friendship functions are responded to on a 9-point scale from never (0) to always (8).
The McGill Friendship Questionnaire – Friendship Functions (MFQ-FF) emerged from a deep dive into the intricate world of friendship. Developed by Morton J. Mendelson and Frances E. Aboud, renowned psychologists at McGill University, the questionnaire arose from their earlier research on friendship in childhood and adolescence. Recognizing the need for a tool to assess friendship quality beyond simply liking or disliking someone, they crafted the MFQ-FF.
This 30-item self-report measure delves into the six pillars that anchor strong, fulfilling friendships: stimulating companionship, reliable help, intimate connection, unshakeable loyalty, self-affirmation, and emotional security. Each statement allows you to reflect on how your close friend fulfills these roles, using a scale ranging from “never” to “always.”
The MFQ-FF isn’t just a static assessment; it’s a powerful tool for introspection and understanding. It empowers you to:
- Analyze your own friendships: Gain insights into where your relationships shine and where they might need nurturing.
- Compare friendships with others: Explore if your expectations and experiences in friends differ from the norm.
- Identify areas for improvement: Pinpoint aspects of your friendships that could benefit from conscious effort or open communication.
- Track your friendship journey: Monitor how your friendships evolve over time, celebrating strengths and addressing challenges.
The MFQ-FF has earned its place as a valuable instrument in research on friendship. Its reliability and validity make it a go-to tool for understanding the complex dynamics that bind us to our close confidantes. Whether you’re looking to enhance your own friendships or contribute to the scientific understanding of this fundamental human bond, the McGill Friendship Questionnaire – Friendship Functions offers a rich and illuminating avenue for exploration.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Introduce the questionnaire: Briefly explain the purpose of the MFQ-FF, emphasizing it’s about understanding their experience of a specific close friendship. Assure anonymity and confidentiality if applicable.
- Provide clear instructions: Walk participants through the questionnaire format, explaining the 9-point Likert scale (0-8) where 0 signifies “never” and 8 indicates “always”. Ensure they understand how to rate each statement based on their personal experience with the chosen friend.
- Answer questions: Be prepared to clarify any uncertainties about the items or scoring.
- Administer the questionnaire: Allow participants sufficient time to complete the questionnaire comfortably, without interruption.
- Scoring: Once completed, participants can score their own results or you can assist if needed. Each item has a designated subscale, so individual scores can be calculated for each of the six friendship functions (stimulating companionship, help, intimacy, reliable alliance, self-validation, and emotional security) as well as an overall score.
Reliability and Validity
The MFQ-FF has earned its reputation as a reliable and valid tool for assessing friendship quality thanks to numerous research studies and validations. Here’s a breakdown of its strengths in these areas:
- Internal consistency: High Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for both the total scale and the six subscales (typically above 0.80) indicate strong internal consistency, meaning items within each subscale measure the same underlying concept.
- Test-retest reliability: The MFQ-FF shows good test-retest reliability, meaning scores remain relatively stable over time when participants retake the questionnaire after a period (typically correlations above 0.70). This suggests consistent measurement of friendship functions over time.
- Inter-rater reliability: When multiple individuals score the same MFQ-FF responses, agreement rates are high, demonstrating minimal subjectivity and bias in scoring.
- Content validity: The six subscales correspond well to established theoretical frameworks of friendship functions, ensuring relevant content coverage.
- Convergent validity: The MFQ-FF scores correlate positively with other measures of friendship quality and related constructs like self-esteem and well-being, suggesting it accurately captures similar concepts.
- Discriminant validity: Scores on the MFQ-FF differ significantly from measures of unrelated constructs like loneliness or anxiety, indicating it uniquely assesses friendship functions and avoids overlap with other psychological aspects.
Available Versions
30-Items
Reference
Mendelson, M. J. & Aboud, F. (1999). Measuring friendship quality in late adolescents and young adults: McGill friendship questionnaires. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 31, 130-132.
Mendelson, M. J., & Aboud, F. (1997). Measuring friendship quality in late adolescents and young adults: McGill friendship questionnaires. Unpublished manuscript.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is it?
30-item self-report measure of close friendship quality. Assesses 6 key functions: companionship, help, intimacy, alliance, self-validation, emotional security.
Who uses it?
Anyone interested in their own friendships or those of others (researchers, clinicians, individuals).
How is it scored?
9-point Likert scale for each item (0-8: never to always). Scores calculated for each function and overall.
Reliable and valid?
Yes, research confirms strong reliability and validity.
Limitations?
Self-report bias possible. Limited cultural generality (needs testing in diverse contexts).
Focuses on one specific friend.
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