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Communication Research
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Interpersonal Trust and Social Skill in Seeking Social Support Among Chinese and Americans

Steven T. Mortenson

University of Delaware

The present study examined how social skills and interpersonal trust facilitate the support-seeking process in two different cultures, namely, those of China and the United States. Drawing from Sensitive Interactions Systems Theory and attachment theory, the current study examines the connections between social skill, interpersonal trust, the perceived appropriateness of seeking support, and the likelihood of displaying emotional distress to friends. Results indicated both similarities and differences between Americans and Chinese in terms of support seeking. Across both cultural groups, interpersonal trust was associated with appropriate help seeking, which, in turn, predicted the likelihood of showing emotional distress to friends. The two culture groups differed in terms of attenuating displays of distress (showing less than one actually feels). Among Chinese participants, attenuating displays of emotion was seen as positive and was associated with appropriateness. Among European Americans, attenuating displays of distress was negatively associated with appropriateness.

Key Words: cultural differences • interpersonal trust • social skills • social support

This version was published on February 1, 2009

Communication Research, Vol. 36, No. 1, 32-53 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0093650208326460
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