Exploring the Psychological Process of Suifenzi in the Context of the Interdependent Self Among Chinese Workplace Newcomers

ABSTRACT In China, the practice known as suifenzi involves giving money as a gesture of goodwill by guests at celebrations. This tradition has become burdensome, but it remains a social norm. This study examines the psychological processes experienced by Chinese workplace newcomers on suifenzi, seeking to understand how the younger generation is shaped by cultural customs and how these customs evolve through intergenerational transmission. We employed constructivist grounded theory and conducted semi‐structured interviews with ten participants, found that a psychological process model of single‐instance suifenzi, which shows that workplace newcomers: (1) consider four factors: customary consensus, interpersonal interaction, psychological distance, and financial pressure; (2) are dominated by negative or positive state, depending on psychological distance; and (3) attain aftereffects, including increased psychological burden, provision of social support, and promotion of interpersonal adaptation. The model for the development of attitudes and behaviors in recurring suifenzi scenarios outlines a three‐stage process: from enlightenment and learning to exploration and adaptation, culminating in internalization and solidification. The discussion centers on the interdependent self's role in young people through suifenzi, noting that this custom is significantly shaped by the independent self and social mobility during intergenerational transmission, and the great significance of the interdependent self in contemporary society.