Hurtful messages in Chinese relationships: Message content, appraisal, and effects

This study was an initial examination of hurtful messages in Chinese personal relationships. Following the approach taken in previous studies of hurtful messages, we used Bradbury and Fincham's (1991) contextual model to examine the role of the distal and proximal factors in the evaluation of hurtful messages in Chinese close friend and romantic relationships. Specifically, we investigated (a) the content of hurtful messages, (b) partners' attributions for hurtful messages, and (c) relationships between hurtful message appraisal, message effects, and relational outcomes. Chinese participants, compared with previous research using Western samples, found cross-cultural variations and similarities in experiences and reports of hurtful messages. Implications and limitations were discussed.