The influence of type of teasing and outcome on the negative experiences of teasers

We argue that the experience of teasers is conditional on whether their goal was to be affectionate or hurtful and whether or not they succeeded at goal accomplishment. The retrospective accounts of undergraduates verified that failed attempts to affectionately tease reflected more negative emotional consequences than successful affectionate teasing attempts and when hurtful teasing goals were accomplished. The accomplishment of hurtful teasing goals showed no greater negative emotional consequences than unsuccessful attempts to be hurtful but many more negative consequences than successful affectionate teasing. Also, the relationship between the interaction of teasing type and outcome with communication apprehension was mediated by the target’s anger and communication apprehension mediated the relationship between the interaction and teaser regret. The implications of the findings, limitation of the study and future research directions are discussed.