Five domains of interpersonal competence in peer relationships.

Abstract

In three studies we investigated the utility of distinguishing among different domains of interpersonal competence in college students' peer relationships. In Study 1 we developed a questionnaire to assess five dimensions of competence: initiating relationships, self-disclosure, asserting displeasure with others' actions, providing emotional support, and managing interpersonal conflicts. Initial validation evidence was gathered. We found that self-perceptions of competence varied as a function of sex of subject, sex of interaction partner, and competence domain. In Study 2 we found moderate levels of agreement between ratings of competence by subjects and their roommates. Interpersonal competence scores were also related in predictable ways to subject and roommate reports of masculinity and femininity, social self-esteem, loneliness, and social desirability. In Study 3 we obtained ratings of subjects' competence from their close friends and new acquaintances. Relationship satisfaction among new acquaintances was predicted best by initiation competence, whereas satisfaction in friendships was most strongly related to emotional support competence. The findings provide strong evidence of the usefulness of distinguishing among domains of interpersonal competence. Social scientists and mental health professionals alike have long been interested in interpersonal competence and the specific components involved in effective interaction (i.e., social skills). Researchers studying various forms of interpersonal relationships have recognized the importance of interpersonal competence in children's peer group popularity (Asher, 1983), adolescents' success in dating (Twentyman, Boland, & McFall, 1981), and adults' marital satisfaction (Gottman, 1979). Recent studies of social support suggest that people who are interpersonally competent are more likely to build and use networks of relationships that provide support in the face of stressful life

Rain on my parade: Perceiving low self-esteem in close others hinders positive self-disclosure

“…In hindsight, perhaps this finding is not all that surprising, given that HSEs do tend to be more socially tuned than LSEs (Buhrmester, Furman, Wittenberg, & Reis, 1988;Furr & Funder, 1998). Nevertheless, my behavioural results showed no evidence of moderation by participant self-esteem.…”

Characterizing Interpersonal Difficulties Among Young Adults Who Engage in Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Using a Daily Diary

“…The Interpersonal Competence Questionnaire (ICQ; Buhrmester, Furman, Wittenberg, & Reis, 1988) is a 40-item scale measuring selfperceived competency in five domains: initiating relationships, disclosing personal information, providing emotional support, asserting disagreement and needs, and managing conflict. Items are rated on a 5-point scale (1 = "I'm poor at this; I'd feel so uncomfortable and unable to handle this situation, I'd avoid it if possible" to 5 = "I'm extremely good at this; I'd feel very comfortable and could handle this situation very well").…”

“…All five subscales of the ICQ had acceptable internal consistency in this study (αs = .81 to .89). The ICQ subscales have been shown to correlate with self-report measures of interpersonal functioning, loneliness, and romantic competence (rs = .31 to .71), as well as objective ratings of interpersonal competence (rs = .33 to .75; Buhrmester et al, 1988). The Social Support Behaviors Scale (SS-B; Vaux, Riedel, Stewart, 1987) is a 45-item scale that was modified for this study to assess the likelihood that participants would provide five types of support to a friend or family member: emotional support, practical assistance, financial support, advice/guidance, and social support.…”

Genetic and environmental factors affecting self-esteem from age 14 to 17: a longitudinal study of Finnish twins

“…High self-esteem is manifest in enhanced initiative, happiness and life satisfaction (Buhrmester et al 1988, Diener & Diener 1995, LePine & Van Dyne 1998, Furnham & Cheng 2000. Self-esteem is positively associated with better self-rated health (Glendinning 1998), and low self-esteem has been related to poor physical health outcomes (Nirkko et al 1982).…”