HOW COMFORTING MESSAGES FROM A DATING PARTNER PREDICT CHANGES IN REAPPRAISAL AND EMOTIONAL IMPROVEMENT

Abstract

Scholars have consistently shown the benefits of comforting messages for strangers but especially for couples. Nevertheless, it is unclear which factors provide a long-term benefit. This study focuses on two factors of emotional support that have an influence on emotional improvement and reappraisal of the situation: Verbal-Person-Centeredness (VPC) and Non-Verbal-Immediacy (NVI). In order to assess whether those factors have an influence on emotional improvement and reappraisal, couples (n = 83) were invited two times over a two week period. In their appointments they were assigned to their role as support seeker and support provider based on a personal problem in their relationship. I conducted a multiple regression in order to assess whether the support provider’s VPC and NVI rated by the support seeker have an influence on emotional improvement and reappraisal of the support seeker at the first and second appointment. My findings showed that VPC and NVI could explain emotional improvement and reappraisal on the first but not on the second appointment, where VPC was a unique predictor, while NVI was not. Implications of these findings are discussed.