Reese Witherspoon finds ''solace'' in other's struggles.

The 'Wild' star has admitted she relies on talking through her problems with her ''supportive'' friends, which she has affectionately dubbed the ''Southern Mafia'', and finds it good to know others are going through the same difficulties she is.

She said: ''I learned a few years ago that there are people who don't want good things for you. You've got to get away from them.

''Now I surround myself with supportive friends. I have a close group of girlfriends I call my Southern Mafia. One's from Oklahoma, one's from Arkansas, another's from Tennessee. I get a lot out of my relationships with them.

''Parenting, getting through your marriage, getting through your day, these are hard things, and I find solace in the fact that other people struggle with the same stuff I do. We all have concerns about our kids, our marriage, our dreams.''

The 39-year-old actress has been surrounded by strong women all her life and wants to be a similar role model for her daughter Ava, 15.

She added to the May issue of InStyle magazine: ''I grew up seeing incredibly strong women like Holly Hunter, Sigourney Weaver and Debra Winger.

''I want to ensure that my 15-year-old daughter, Ava, grows up seeing those types of strong women playing complicated parts.''