Social connectedness, dysfunctional interpersonal behaviors, and psychological distress: Testing a mediator model

The study examined the relationship among social connectedness, dysfunction al interpersonal behaviors, and psychological distress. The authors specifi cally hypothesized that the direct negative effect of social connectedness on psychological distress would be mediated by dysfunctional interpersonal behaviors. Prior to testing the hypothesis, the authors revised the origina l Social Connectedness Scale (SCS; R. M. Lee & S. B. Robbins, 1995). Studie s 1 and 2 describe the revision and validation of the SCS on separate sampl es of college students. In Study 3, the authors surveyed 184 college studen ts and found support for the mediation hypothesis on general psychological distress. The importance of assessing social connectedness and tailoring co unseling interventions for people with low connectedness and dysfunctional interpersonal behaviors is addressed.