Saying the Wrong Thing or Saying Nothing at All

Comparing Outcomes of Nonsupport Versus Low Person-Centered Emotional Support Messages

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21633252
AutoresColter D Ray (0000-0003-0491-1517, University of Tampa, autor de correspondencia), Kevin Floyd (0000-0002-0664-0418, University of Arizona)
Año2025
Páginas1-25
Fecha de publicación2025-07-20
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaCommunication Studies (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1051-0974 • E-ISSN: 1745-1035
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10510974.2025.2532497
OpenAlexW4412500140
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas44

This study used expectancy violations theory as a framework to test whether nonsupport (i.e. not receiving support that was expected) is worse than receiving a low person-centered emotional support message. Participants were 886 U.S. adults who were census-matched based on age, sex, and ethnicity who participated in a survey experiment. Results showed that when providing emotional support to someone who suffered an injury, nonsupport generated less emotional improvement and more negative relational ramifications than a low person-centered emotional support message. However, when providing support to someone who has become unemployed, low person-centered messages created more negative relational ramifications than nonsupport. Results suggest that saying nothing at all is not always worse than communicating low person-centered messages, and this may depend on the nature of the stressor

Epistemology · Nothing · Employment and Welfare Studies · Homelessness and Social Issues · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Philosophy · Psychology · Social Psychology