ABSTRACT

Human beings are social creatures that require safe, secure, and supportive relationships to thrive. In support of this notion, having positive relationships with caregivers, peers, and others is associated with mental health, physical health, and overall emotional well-being (Bond et al., 2007; Lee, Dean, & Jung, 2008; Yoon, Lee, & Goh, 2008). Furthermore, the belongingness hypothesis (i.e., humans have an emotional need to be an accepted member of a group) and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (i.e., basic needs must be met before individuals will strongly desire secondary or higher-level needs) suggest that feelings of belonging and social connectedness are fundamental human needs (Baumeister & Leary, 1995; Maslow, 1943). Thus, as a social species, humans naturally interact with each other to bond and create meaningful relationships.