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Related Experiment Videos

Daily supportive equity in close relationships.

Marci E J Gleason1, Masumi Iida, Niall Bolger

  • 1New York University, Department of Psychology, NY 10003, USA. mg512@nyu.edu.

Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin
|June 11, 2004
PubMed
Summary

In relationships, giving and receiving emotional support equally benefits mood. Reciprocated support in committed relationships enhances positive mood and reduces distress, while unreciprocated support increases negative feelings.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Relationship Science

Background:

  • Receiving support in relationships is often linked to negative psychological outcomes like distress.
  • Previous research indicates potential negative effects of unreciprocated support on recipients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the hypothesis that support reciprocation can offset negative psychological effects of receiving support.
  • To investigate the role of supportive equity in committed relationships.

Main Methods:

  • Daily reports of mood and emotional support (received and given) were collected from 85 couples over 4 weeks.
  • Analysis focused on the association between support reciprocity and mood outcomes.

Main Results:

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  • Support reciprocity was linked to higher positive mood and lower negative mood.
  • Receiving support without reciprocation correlated with increased negative mood.
  • Giving support, irrespective of receipt, was associated with decreased negative mood.

    • Conclusions:

    • Supportive equity, achieved through reciprocity, positively impacts mood in committed relationships.
    • Giving support has mood-enhancing benefits, regardless of whether support is received.
    • The findings highlight the importance of balanced support exchange for psychological well-being in relationships.