When the needs for affiliation and intimacy are frustrated: Envy and indirect aggression among German and Cameroonian adults

This article tests the hypothesis that a lack of experiences of relatedness is linked to negative outcomes such as envy and indirect aggression in particular if individuals are characterized by a high implicit affiliation–intimacy motive. Assumptions were examined in a sample of 273 adults from Germany and Cameroon. Components of the affiliation–intimacy motive, i.e., needs for affiliation and intimacy, were assessed with a picture story exercise. Additionally, participants reported on experiences of relatedness, indirect aggression, and envy. Low experiences of relatedness are associated with enhanced levels of envy and indirect aggression among individuals with a pronounced implicit affiliation–intimacy motive. Those effects hold true across cultural groups. Findings point to the prominent role of the implicit affiliation–intimacy motive for interpersonal emotions and behavior.