Year: 2009 Source: Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Florida, 2009. 103p. SIEC No: 20100638

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among college age students experiences in close friendship, emotional autonomy, & reasons to live. A final sample of 441 undergraduate students participated. Results indicated a significant negative association between attachment anxiety & reasons to live implying that students that are more confident in a friends’ responsiveness within a close friendship reported more reasons to live. Results further indicated that gender & ethnicity influence specific reasons to live, such as responsibilities to friends & family, moral obligations, college & future related concerns, & fear of suicide. The implications with regard to theory, counselling practice, research, & future directions are discussed.