Emotional Control and Social Connection in U.S. Students: A Therapy Analog Study

A strong therapeutic relationship is frequently characterized by emotional intimacy between the client and therapist and enhances client outcomes. Emotional control -- the tendency to suppress or avoid the expression of emotions-may affect the development of a strong therapeutic alliance. This study examined how emotional control influences the process of developing intimacy and resulting interpersonal connection in a therapy analog among young adults in the United States. Method: University students (N = 83; Mage= 19.88; SDage = 3.37) completed a measure of emotional control and participated in a therapy analog with a research assistant. Participants rated their interpersonal connection with the research assistant at pre- and post-test. Results: Emotional control moderated changes in connection; stronger tendencies toward emotional control were associated with greater changes in feeling connection with the research assistant. Discussion: Emotionally validating therapeutic interactions may be helpful for individuals who attempt to avoid expression of emotions.