Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Treatment Model for Young Patients with Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction and Resultant Infertility
Published on: May 30, 2025
Male Iranian adolescent's reasons for having an other-gender friend
Aim:
The aim of this study was to identify the primary reasons why male Iranian adolescents enter into other-gender friendships.
Methods:
A qualitative study was conducted with a sample of 21 male adolescents recruited in public places in Tehran, Iran. Information about each boy's experiences with other-gender friends was collected via semi-structured interviews whose contents were analyzed with a conventional qualitative content analysis approach.
Results:
Five reasons were identified for engaging in other-gender friendships: (a) for the purpose of entertainment, (b) financial benefits, (c) increased popularity with peers, (d) sensation seeking and (e) sexual experiences.
Conclusion:
This study revealed that adolescent males do not follow appropriate goals for communicating with the other-gender. In many cases, these goals could endanger their own health and the health of their other-gender friends. Future researchers must focus on identifying and understanding the factors that influence an adolescent to enter into an other-gender friendship.
Related Concept Videos
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Friendships and Close Friendships
Relationship Formation
Relationship Growth
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Cognitive Development During Adolescence

