Are You a Good Friend?

Learn More About What Makes a Good Friend

Friendship is one of the most important relationships in a person's life, and the qualities that make someone a good friend, loyalty, honesty, support, are consistently linked to happiness and wellbeing in psychological research.

An amazing friend shows up consistently and puts real effort into the relationship. A good friend is reliable and caring, even if not perfect. An okay friend means well but may not always follow through. A friend who's falling short might need to work on communication or consistency, while sometimes the honest answer is that it's time to invest in some new friendships.

Researchers consistently find that quality matters more than quantity in friendship, with a few deep, trusting relationships offering more benefit than a wide circle of surface-level connections.

Wherever you land, being a good friend is a skill that can always be strengthened with a little intention.