COMPLAINTS AND COMPLAINING - FUNCTIONS, ANTECEDENTS, AND CONSEQUENCES

Although everyone complains at least occasionally, surprisingly little research attention has been devoted to the topic of complaining. In t his review, complaints are defined as expressions of dissatisfaction, whether subjectively experienced or not, for the purpose of venting em otions or achieving intrapsychic goals, interpersonal goals, or both. A theoretical model of complaining is presented that examines the rela tionship between self-focus, the perceived utility of complaining, and complaining. In addition, this article examines variables related to people's dissatisfaction and complaining thresholds (i.e., negative af fect, locus of control, self-presentational concerns, age, and gender) , functions of complaining, and intrapersonal and interpersonal conseq uences of complaining.