The Power of Saying No: How Rejecting Invitations Can Strengthen Relationships

People often overestimate the negative social consequences of rejecting an invitation, according to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. The research found that individuals who declined invitations believed that their rejection would have more severe ramifications for their relationships than the invitees themselves. The study suggests that people tend to exaggerate how upset someone will be when an invitation is declined, even in longstanding relationships. The findings indicate that turning down invitations occasionally can help avoid burnout without major consequences.