Theme

Frequency

Examples

Limited social network

100%

“I only have, I would say, two friends.”

“I don’t really have a close friendship with any friend.”

“(I’ve) been on my own most of the time.”

“I don’t think I make friends easily.”

Lack of personal contact or communication

86%

“I don’t see her that often.”

“We contact each other quite a lot via email and things.”

“Sometimes if I’m wondering if they’re ok I’ll probably just give them a message and see if they’ll get back to me.”

“When she’s home I usually see her or text her a bit.”

Difficulty understanding the concept of friendship

57%

“Umm…I don’t know because I’ve never really had a good friend. But I think a friend would be someone you could talk to.”

“Someone…who’s kind and considerate.”

“A friend…maybe you might want to actually ring your friend, once in a while.”

“I don’t know really…just to go out with someone.”

Focus of attention away from the self

43%

“I don’t really know (what they like about me).”

“You’d have to ask them (what they like about me).”

“(Being a friend) means caring about someone else, taking an interest in them, wanting to spend time with them.”

“She likes French films so we might go to see a French film.”