When done as a way to work through friction with someone else or bond with a friend, venting can be helpful, she said.
Because the study also found that venting in an aggressive or antagonistic way can actually cost you friends.
Wilson said that how you vent makes a difference in how relatable it feels to the person you're venting to.
To a mutual friend, "you're not a safe person if you're just purely gossiping to put someone else down," she said.
It's one thing if you want to get a gut check from a mutual friend or brainstorm ways you can resolve an issue, Wilson said.
Persons:
haven't, Abby Wilson, LCSW, Wilson
Organizations:
Service, Business