Supportive Interactions , Negative Interactions , and Depressed Mood 1

Research on the association between social relationships and emotional functioning has emphasized the health-promoting effects o f social support. Yet there is reason to believe that the absence o f negative social interactions may be more important for mental health than the presence o f supportive interactions. In this investigation we clarify important characteristics concerning the source, the recipient, and the combined influence o f support and negativity. Data are presented regarding supportive and negative interactions with spouse, relatives, and friends; regression analyses suggest that negative interactions are more predictive o f depressed mood than supportive interactions (specifically with spouse and friends). We also document several specifications suggesting directions for future research on the special importance o f interactions in intimate relationships and the synergistic effects o f situations in which supportive and negative interactions both occur.