Building mutual affection-based face in conflict mediation: A Chinese relationship management model

Many aspects regarding face and the importance of its management in interpersonal interaction have been explored; however, little is known about the inter-relationship between face, emotion and relational work in communication, especially in regard to conflict. Drawing from Chinese data on interpersonal conflict mediation, this article examines how qingmian (mutual affection-based face) is interactionally achieved and (re)established between the participants when it is at risk. A Qingmian-Threat Regulation Model (QTR) is developed to analyze the qingmian-oriented relationship management in Chinese context. In view of the findings, this study proposes a refinement of Arundale's (1999, 2006, 2010) concept of face that incorporates affection and morality, thus providing new insights into culture-specific face as well as the dynamics of interpersonal relationship maintenance in interaction.