The positive outcomes of ‘Socially Sharing Negative Emotions’ in workteams: A conceptual exploration

In this conceptual paper, we argue that Socially Sharing Negative Emotions (SSNE) could lead to positive outcomes beyond an individual level. SSNE is an intentional verbal communication where both a sharer, who experienced the original affective event, and team members, who noticed the emotional distress of a potential sharer, could be an initiator. Although SSNE has received little attention in the literature to date, it is a relatively common and beneficial process in the workplace. The goal of this paper is therefore to explore how/when SSNE can be effective for members of a team. ‘How’ SSNE could be functional will be examined by looking at the overall process of SSNE, and the question of ‘when’ will be explored in line with boundary conditions influencing the effectiveness of SSNE. We specify testable propositions to guide future research and consider boundary conditions for such SSNE to occur. As many boundary conditions could be time constrained, the main SSNE context taken into consideration in this paper is a newly formed team. Our exploration of SSNE highlights positive functions of negative emotions which contribute outcomes at an inter-personal and/or a group level where SSNE takes place.