2011 Volume 51 Issue 2 Pages 91-103
This study investigated cultural differences between the United States and Japan in terms of frequency of interpersonal stressors in close and non-close relationships, effects of social skills on the relationship between culture and stressors, and effects of interpersonal stressors on distress. Japanese and American undergraduates participated in a questionnaire survey. The three major findings were as follows. First, regarding frequency of stressors, cultural differences were not found in interpersonal conflicts (arguments and confrontations), but effects of culture and closeness were found in both interpersonal blunders (imposing a burden on someone) and interpersonal friction (suppressing true feelings and being considerate); particularly, in close relationships, Japanese experienced more interpersonal blunders, but less interpersonal friction than Americans. Second, social skills served as a mediator to the relationship between culture and frequency of interpersonal blunders for close relationships, indicating that interpersonal blunders are more frequent in Japan than the U.S. Also, regarding associations between social skills and frequency of interpersonal conflicts in close relationships, a moderator effect of culture was significant; that is, those with higher skills experienced less interpersonal conflict for Americans, but not for Japanese. Finally, the relationship between interpersonal stressors in close relationships and distress was stronger in Japan than the U.S.
