Emotional investment

Abstract

This study examined the utility of the investment model in understanding the experience and expression of emotion in young adult friendships (179 undergraduate students). The results provide support for the utility of the investment model components (i.e., satisfaction, investment, alternative quality, and commitment) in understanding (a) friends’ anger and guilt experiences and (b) the four types of anger expression examined (i.e., integrative assertion, passive aggression, distributive aggression, and non-assertive denial), but the model provided limited support for the four types of guilt expressions examined (i.e., apology–concession, explanations–justification, guilt appeasement, and denial–withdrawal). Support was found for the investment model’s claim that commitment serves a mediating role between the other model components (i.e., satisfaction, investment, and alternative quality) and other relational components.

Extradyadic Communication with Friends about Negative Relational Events in Romantic Relationships: Development of a Measure and Implications for Friendship and Romantic Relationship Functioning

“…As expected, satisfaction, investment level, and quality of alternatives have been found to predict commitment in romantic relationships (Drigotas, Safstrom, & Gentilia, 1999;Rusbult, 1980Rusbult, , 1983Rusbult, Johnson, & Morrow, 1986), including in a 15-year longitudinal study that featured data from both relational partners (Bui, Peplau, & Hill, 1996). Further, the IM has been used to predict commitment in platonic friendships (Allen, Babin, & McEwan, 2012;Branje, Frijns, Finkenauer, Engels, & Meeus, 2007), supporting the predictive power of the IM across relationship types. Additionally, the IM has demonstrated utility within a variety of other contexts.…”

“…Therefore, to the extent that the friendship with a network member is perceived to be high in quality, romantic partners may be more likely to disclose potentially negative information to that network member about romantic relationship problems. A friendship characterized by high levels of satisfaction and commitment, for example, provides a stable and safe place to discuss sensitive issues, particularly given the confidence in the stability of the relationship (Branje et al, 2007) and the likelihood that, even if a friend or romantic partner were to experience negative affect, it will be expressed constructively (Allen et al, 2012).…”

“…The model for messages of advice and validation was also significant, F (4,191) of interference messages with romantic partners: closeness (β = .14, t = .83, p = .41), satisfaction (β = -.16, t = -.72, p = .48), and likelihood of continuance (β = -.07, t = -.29, p = .77). Relationships were only hypothesized among friendship quality variables and interference messages in hypothesis four, given our expectation that those in high quality friendships would feel obligated and comfortable being honest with each other (Allen et al, 2012;Argyle & Henderson, 1984). However, again in the interest of a thorough exploration of available data, an additional regression was conducted to examine friendship quality and friends' use of support messages, with event severity entered as a covariate.…”