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The affective dynamics of reassurance-seeking in real-time interactions.
- Source :
- Journal of Social & Personal Relationships; Feb2020, Vol. 37 Issue 2, p676-694, 19p
- Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- According to several interpersonal theories of depression, excessive reassurance-seeking is one way depressed individuals may contribute to relationship deterioration, particularly in romantic relationships. The present study is the first behavioral investigation of the hypothesis that reassurance-seeking induces negative affect in interaction partners in real time. This study also investigates potential affective precursors to reassurance-seeking behaviors. A videotaped discussion task completed by 121 women and their male romantic partners was behaviorally coded to assess reassurance-seeking and affect in both members of the couple. Female depression was measured via self-report. Results indicated that the association between female reassurance-seeking and male partner's subsequent anxiety approached statistical significance, but no other significant relations between reassurance-seeking and partner affect were found. Additionally, female anxious affect positively predicted subsequent reassurance-seeking, and depression symptoms moderated this relation. Unexpectedly, the relation between anxious affect and reassurance-seeking was stronger among women with less severe depression symptoms. Our findings support integrated and revised theories of reassurance-seeking and underscore the need to further investigate reassurance-seeking behavior in real-time interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 02654075
- Volume :
- 37
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Social & Personal Relationships
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 141395936
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407519876991