section_path: Developmental psychology/Adulthood
section_name: Adulthood
paragraph_text: Adulthood
  
  Friendship in adulthood provides companionship, affection, and emotional support, and contributes positively to mental well-being and improved physical health.
  
  Adults may find it particularly difficult to maintain meaningful friendships in the workplace. "The workplace can crackle with competition, so people learn to hide vulnerabilities and quirks from colleagues. Work friendships often take on a transactional feel; it is difficult to say where networking ends and real friendship begins." Many adults value the financial well-being and security that their job provides more than developing friendships with coworkers.
  
  2,000 American adults surveyed had an average of two close friends, defined as "people they had 'discussed important matters' with in the past six months". Numerous studies with adults suggest that friendships and other supportive relationships enhance self-esteem.