Mixed Feelings? Negative Effects of Workplace Friendships: Theoretical Mechanisms and Boundary Conditions

Workplace friendship is a kind of special intimate relationship in the workplace, which has attracted much attention in recent years because of its complexity. Previous studies have mainly focused on the positive effects of workplace friendships. However, recent research has shown that workplace friendships can also lead to potentially negative effects, serving employees' relationship needs while also causing problems such as infighting and cliques, and existing research has failed to provide a systematic understanding of this negative effect. In order to solve this problem, the concept of workplace friendship and its core characteristics are first defined. Secondly, based on the theory of conservation of resources, role theory and social identity theory, this paper expounds the psychological mechanism of the negative effect of workplace friendship, and further analyzes the conditions of the negative effect of workplace friendship. Finally, based on the above summary and conclusion, this paper puts forward the future research direction of the negative effects of workplace friendship.