Relationship between regulation of negative emotional expression, satisfaction of friendship, and mental health

Abstract

The present study examines the relationship between RNEE (regulation of negative emotional expression) and satisfaction of friendship, and between RNEE and mental health. A questionnaire was developed to examine RNEE. The questionnaire on RNEE, satisfaction of friendship, self-esteem and depression were administered to 311 undergraduate students. Factor analysis of the RNEE scores yielded five factors relating to situations and motives of the regulation : (F1)-prosocial motives in a physically damaging situation ; (F2)-prosocial motives in a verbally damaging situation ; (F3)-prosocial motives occurring in a situation when a friend met with misfortune ; (F4)-prosocial motives relating to a situation involving a friend's happiness and satisfaction ; and (F5)-self-protective motives in a situation related to the avoidance of loss of face. It was found that (a) a high score of F2 or F5 in the RNEE was closely related to a low satisfaction of friendship, (b) a high score of F1, F2, F4 or F5 in the RNEE was related to a low self-esteem, and (c) a high score of F5 in the RNEE was related to a high depression.