The Role of Social Approach and Avoidance Motives for Subjective Well‐Being and the Successful Transition to Adulthood
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Social affiliation appears to be a central human need. Taking a developmental perspective, we discuss whether and how the desire to belong (approach motivation) and the fear of being rejected (avoidance motivation) might be of central importance for understanding success or failure in transitional phases, especially in the transition from adolescence into adulthood. Cognitive, emotional, and behavioral consequences of social motives (approach, avoidance, and their co‐occurrence) are reviewed. We argue that both tendencies need to be taken into account for understanding affiliation motivation and behavior and its significance for life satisfaction and well‐being. A predominant social approach motivation has positive consequences for cognition, behavior, emotion, and well‐being, whereas the opposite pattern holds for a predominant avoidance motivation. Co‐occurrence of both is characterised by ambivalent cognitions and emotions, and unstable behavior. Taking a developmental perspective, however, and considering social development in the transition to adulthood, co‐occurrence might be more beneficial than a predominant avoidance motivation. Il est clair que l’affiliation est un besoin humain fondamental. On se demande, dans une perspective développementale, si et comment le désir d’être accueilli (motivation à l’approche) et la crainte d’être rejeté (motivation à l’évitement) pourraient être d’une importance majeure dans l’explication du succès ou de l’échec des périodes de tran…
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It may be harder for young individuals who lack the social skills and confidence necessary to establish a supportive social network to maintain emotional well-being during the transition to early adulthood.
“As a result, it may be harder for young individuals who lack the social skills and confidence necessary to establish a supportive social network to maintain emotional well‐being during this transition (Nikitin & Freund, 2008).”
From A cross‐lagged twin study of emotional symptoms, social isolation and peer victimisation from early adolescence to emerging adulthood (2023) · cites this paper as Nikitin & Freund, 2008
The lack of mediation could be explained by the increased freedom to decide whether and with whom to interact socially in young adulthood.
“This could be explained by the increased freedom to decide whether and with whom to interact socially in young adulthood (e.g., at work or university; Nikitin & Freund, 2008).”
From A cross‐lagged twin study of emotional symptoms, social isolation and peer victimisation from early adolescence to emerging adulthood (2023) · cites this paper as Nikitin & Freund, 2008
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“This hypothesis is based on the 2 assumption that both social approach and avoidance motives are expressions of the need to 3 belong (Nikitin & Freund, 2008).”
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- Authors
- Nikitin, J., & Freund, A. M.
- Affiliations
- University of Zurich (CH)
- Corresponding author
- Nikitin, Jana
- Freund, Alexandra M.
- Venue
- Applied Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2008-06-28
- Volume
- 57
- Issue
- s1
- Pages
- 90-111
- ISSN
- 0269-994X (ISSN-L)
- 1464-0597
- OpenAlex
- W2068600667
- Cited by
- 58
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2025: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 2.67
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- doi.org
- Locations
- Applied Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (acceptedVersion)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) (submittedVersion)
- Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Attachment and Relationship Dynamics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Keywords
- social affiliation, fear of rejection, coming of age, adolescence, subjective well-being, life satisfaction, emotional ambivalence, social development (developmental psychology), developmental perspective, rejection sensitivity, self-concept, self-esteem, self-concept stability
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