The importance of friendship.

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has warned that social exclusion is a "growing concern" and loneliness is part of that phenomena. The government is seeking to asses national well being and friendship and how many friends we have is part of that census. Those with more than ten friends are most likely to feel completely or mostly content with their lives. Those with between two and ten friends also registered high levels of satisfactions. However those with only one friend or less were least satisfied. The question is - what is chicken and egg? Were those with more friends more open and extrovert and welcoming to new friendships, whereas those with only one friend or less were more introverted. Its known in the psychiatric jargon as the pre-morbid personality or self fulfilling prophesy. Where do you stand of the friendship continuum?