Men are no more, no less apt to misinterpret interactions than women. The opposite sex, whether you're a male or a female, should not necessarily be treated less friendly.

I will wholeheartedly disagree with you on this. You are who you are and you're the type of person that is an encourager, supporter-type person. There is nothing in this that you need to change. If someone misinterprets what you've been liek with them it's on them. If you're flirting and not meaning anything by it, then I would consider this leading someone on but tbh I don't think you have. You clearly have met some guys that are needy and don't understand that people, especially women, can be there to lean on without wanting something more than just a friendship.

Please, do not change who you are for this reason and don't let it stop you from being a good friend that you seem to be in my view.

If you don't intentionally mislead, flirt and cause sexual tension, act romantically to someone, and they misunderstand your interactions, then you've done nothing wrong.

Again, I don't think that being supportive and encouraging is a bad thing and being there to be leaned on by someone is simply being a good friend. The thing that I would look at is NOT that part of the interaction but, if it is something YOU'RE doing, maybe it's how you interact, and behave, with regards to flirting etc. Are there things that you do that are more than being just friendly? Do you comment on their attractiveness, etc and not make it clear you're saying it as a friend? There are certain things you can do that would make a man think you're attracted to them. Those are the things that you should be looking at and backing away from.

Depends on what your definition of nice is. Some women are more flirtatious by nature and will be more touchy, giggly... this can sometimes mislead a person if they don't know you well. Even if you are taht way I don't think you should change that so much as you need to make it clear up front that you're not interested in a relationship.