Five Domains of Interpersonal Competence in Peer Relationships

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 displ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of personality and social psychology Vol. 55; no. 6; pp. 991 - 1008
Main Authors:	Buhrmester, Duane, Furman, Wyndol, Wittenberg, Mitchell T, Reis, Harry T
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Washington, DC American Psychological Association 01-12-1988
Subjects:	Assertiveness Biological and medical sciences Female Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology Gender Identity Human Human Sex Differences Humans Interpersonal communication Interpersonal Relations Interrater Reliability Loneliness Male Models, Statistical Peer Relations Peer relationships Personal relationships Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry Psychology. Psychophysiology Rating Self Concept Self Disclosure Self-Perception Sex Factors Social Desirability Social interactions. Communication. Group processes Social psychology Social research Social Skills Social Support Students Human Social perception Peer relation Sex Social aptitude Self perception Personality Interpersonal relation Social support
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Summary:	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.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0022-3514 1939-1315
DOI:	10.1037/0022-3514.55.6.991