Relationship between support reciprocity and stress responses among elementary, junior high, and senior high school students: Moderating effects of underbenefitting and overbenefitting exchange orientations

Abstract

This study examined moderating effects of underbenefitting and overbenefitting exchange orientations on the relationship between support reciprocity in friendships and mood among elementary, junior high, and senior high school students. The participants were 262 first-year senior high school students, 223 second-year junior high school students, and 248 sixth-year elementary school students. The participants completed questionnaires regarding mutual support in friendships, stress responses, and two types of exchange orientations (underbenefitting and overbenefitting exchange orientation). For senior high school students, an underbenefitting orientation had a moderating effect on the relationships between support reciprocity and depression. Among senior high school students low in underbenefitting orientation, individuals who felt slightly underbenefitted regarding support exchange in friendships reported the lowest degree of depression. In addition, individuals high in underbenefitting orientation tended to express a higher level of depression than those low in underbenefitting orientation when they felt slightly underbenefitted.