According to Dr. Jennifer Cole and Hannah Scrivener from Staffordshire University, gossipers feel more supported and positive gossip - praising somebody - may lead to a short-term boost in gossipers’ self-esteem. 

160 participants completed questionnaires relating to their tendency to gossip and measures of their self-esteem, social support and satisfaction with life.

Although not associated with self-esteem or life satisfaction, higher levels of gossiping were associated with feelings of greater social support.

In a follow-up study, 140 participants were asked to talk about a fictional person positively or negatively. Those who described the fictional character positively felt greater self-esteem than those asked to talk about them negatively.

Dr. Cole said: "Gossiping is usually seen as a bad thing. Our findings suggest some forms of gossiping- particularly of the type where people praise others- could be linked with some desirable outcomes for the gossiper despite the fact that gossipers are not generally approved of."



Source: British Psychological Society (Press Release)