Support features, psychological reactance, and support outcomes: evaluating social network support for friends and daters
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2024
Abstract
This study examined the ways in which characteristics of support interactions associate with psychological reactance and, in turn, affect support outcomes. Recent studies have linked the content/quality of support messages to psychological reactance. We build on those findings by exploring associations between reactance and features of the support provider, recipient, and problem-context. We gathered data from 615 college students who described a disagreement with a dating partner (280) or friend (335). Participants reported their perceptions of perceived support availability and relational closeness with the support provider. They then evaluated a support message that varied in verbal person-centeredness. Results suggest a mediating role of psychological reactance on support outcomes. Significant mean differences were identified for support outcomes between the dating and friend contexts, but the associations between the variables were not statistically different between the groups. Discussion addresses supportive communication as a form of social influence that may induce psychological reactance.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Communication Quarterly
First Page
1
Last Page
27
Recommended Citation
Brisini, K., & Wang, N. (2024). Support features, psychological reactance, and support outcomes: evaluating social network support for friends and daters. Communication Quarterly, 72 (1), 1-27. https://doi.org/10.1080/01463373.2023.2281678