Reciprocal Relationships Between Psychological Well-Being and Quality of Social Interaction: A Review of Social Exchange Theory

Didit Darmawan; Abdul  Gani

Authors

Didit Darmawan University of Sunan Giri Surabaya
Abdul Gani Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Keywords:

psychological well-being, social interaction, social exchange theory, reciprocity, fairness, mental health, psychosocial dynamics

Abstract

Psychological well-being and social interactions have a complex reciprocal relationship, where they influence each other through social exchange mechanisms. This literature review aims to analyze this relationship through the perspective of social exchange theory, by exploring how the principles of reciprocity, fairness and dependence shape psychosocial dynamics. The synthesis results suggest that individuals with high levels of psychological well-being tend to engage in higher quality social interactions, characterized by emotional support, trust and long-term commitment. Conversely, imbalances in exchanges-such as injustice or exploitation-can worsen mental health and disrupt relationships. Factors such as cultural norms, power structures and personality also moderate this relationship. These findings have important implications for clinical and social interventions, including the need for an integrated approach that improves both the psychological state of individuals and their patterns of interaction. This abstract highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in understanding the link between psychological well-being and social interactions, with recommendations for future research that considers contextual variables such as digitalization and social change.

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