The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences Advance Access originally published online on August 12, 2009
The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 2009 64B(5):612-621; doi:10.1093/geronb/gbp065
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Benefits of Negative Social Exchanges for Emotional Closeness
1 Department of Psychology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, China
2 Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong, China
3 Institute of Psychogerontology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
Address correspondence to Helene Fung, PhD, Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Room 328 Sino Building, Chung Chi College, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong. Email: hhlfung{at}psy.cuhk.edu.hk
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Abstract |
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Negative exchanges in social relationships have traditionally been studied as having negative consequences. This study explored whether they might have positive effects for relationship closeness. The sample included 351 adults, aged between 18 and 91 years, residing in Hong Kong, China. Closeness of social partners to the participants was measured by the Social Convoy Questionnaire, and the levels of negative exchanges and social support from each social partner were assessed. Multilevel analyses revealed that more negative exchanges were associated with a more positive change in closeness over a 2-year period, even after statistically controlling for social support and sociostructural characteristics of the participant and the social partner. Findings extended our knowledge on the positive effects of negative exchanges and their moderating conditions.
Key Words: Chinese • Closeness • Negative social exchange • Social network • Social support
Received December 1, 2008; Accepted July 12, 2009