What Are Friends for: Shifting the Focus of Social Relationships to Their Instrumentality as a Response to Future Anxiety

Abstract

This research suggests that future anxiety heightens the perceived instrumental value of social relationships. As individuals feel more anxious about their future, their appreciation for the instrumental support from a relationship intensifies, and they are likely to show more positive attitudes toward an experience that provides an opportunity to meet new people. The current investigation is the first to show that people’s future anxiety can pull them together (rather than isolate them) by making people view social ties as a means of preparing for the future. Indeed, future anxiety is not only related to goal-directed behaviors, but also inevitably entails concerns about uncertainty and unpredictability regarding life events.