Document Type
Article
Source Publication Title
Emotion
First Page
792
Last Page
802
Abstract
The goal of this investigation was to identify micro-level processes in the support provider that may foster or inhibit the provision of spousal support. Specifically, we focused on how (1) emotional linkage between the support provider and support seeker, and (2) empathic accuracy of the support provider, relate to support provision in marriage. In a laboratory experiment, 30 couples were randomly assigned to one of two conditions (support provider: man vs. woman) of a factorial design. The couples provided questionnaire data and participated in a social support interaction, designed to assess behaviors when offering and soliciting social support. A video-review task was used to assess emotional linkage and empathic accuracy during the support interaction. As expected, a greater matching of the support provider’s emotional responses with the seeker’s responses, as well as more accurate insights into the support seeking spouse’s thoughts and feelings were found to be predictive of more skilful support (i.e., higher levels of emotional and instrumental support, and lower levels of negative types of support).
Disciplines
Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Publication Date
12-1-2008
Language
English
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Ickes, William; Verhofstadt, Lesley L.; Buysse, Ann; Davis, Mark; and Devoldre, Inge, "Support provision in marriage: The role of emotional linkage and empathic accuracy." (2008). Psychology Faculty Publications. 27.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/psychology_facpubs/27