The Benefits of Friendships in Academic Settings: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Autor:	Alotaibi TA; College of Medicine, Taif University, Taif, SAU., Alkhalifah KM; Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU., Alhumaidan NI; College of Medicine, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, SAU., Almutiri WA; College of Medicine, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, SAU., Alsaleh SK; College of Medicine, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, BHR., AlRashdan FM; College of Medicine and Surgery, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU., Almutairi HR; Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Unaizah, SAU., Sabi AY; College of Medicine, Jazan University, Baish, SAU., Almawash AN; College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, SAU., Alfaifi MY; Medicine and Surgery, King Abdulla Bin Abdulaziz University Hospital, Riyadh, SAU., Al-Mourgi M; Department of Surgery, Medical College, Taif University, Taif, SAU.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Cureus [Cureus] 2023 Dec 22; Vol. 15 (12), pp. e50946. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Dec 22 (Print Publication: 2023).
DOI:	10.7759/cureus.50946
Abstrakt:	Friendships can positively impact students' academic performance and grade point average (GPA) by providing emotional support and reducing stress, thereby leading to improved focus and better concentration on studies. Peer connections and friendships often result in collaborative learning and the exchange of academic ideas, improving comprehension and retention of course materials, ultimately leading to higher GPAs. In contrast, negative friendships or excessive social distractions can adversely affect GPA, which highlights the importance of striking a fine balance between social connections and academic responsibilities. This systematic review and meta-analysis adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. It involved a thorough electronic search on PubMed, Ebsco, and Web of Science databases with no time restrictions. We considered studies from various parts of the world, which examined friendships and relations within the academic setting. This review delved into the substantial impact of friendships in academic settings. Friendships foster a supportive environment for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, ultimately enhancing motivation, reducing stress, and improving GPA, thereby contributing to a successful academic experience. While disparities were noted across studies due to geographical variations, study designs, and outcome measures, the majority of them revealed a positive correlation between friendship and academic performance. Some studies highlighted gender-related differences, with male friendships often proving beneficial for academic performance, though this is not a universal rule, as the quality of friendships mostly depends on compatibility rather than gender. To sum up, the extensive review of research underscores the pivotal role of friendships in academic settings, which act as crucial support systems for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and motivation among students, leading to enhanced academic performance. Despite regional and methodological variations, a consistent positive correlation between friendship and academic success was observed across diverse studies. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. (Copyright © 2023, Alotaibi et al.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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