The Role of Co-Rumination and Adrenocortical Attunement in Young Women ’s Close Friendships

Same sex close friends serve as essential sources of social support, particularly for females (Byrd-Craven& Geary, 2013). These friendships are typically characterized by dyadic self-disclosure, empathy, and high validation and support (Parker& Asher, 1993). The give and take within the relationship is highly monitored, with a greater fragility of the relationship resulting from lack of equity (Benenson& Christakos, 2003). The female-typical cognitive style of internalization of distress, rumination, and focus on relationship dynamics (Lewinsohn et al., 1997), provide an avenue to achieve intimacy by discussing stressful events with a close friend, thereby receiving support in the form of validation of emotions, even if these emotions are negative.

Source: Psychoneuroendocrinology - July 26, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Ashley Rankin, CaSandra Swearingen-Stanborough, Douglas A. Granger, Jennifer Byrd-Craven Source Type: research