"I'm so excited for you!" How an enthusiastic responding intervention enhances close relationships. (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Woods, Sarah; Lambert, Nathaniel; Brown, Preston; Fincham, Frank; May, Ross
• Is Part Of: Journal of social and personal relationships. Volume 32:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 24
• Page End: 40
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Active–constructive responding -- capitalization -- gratitude -- relationship satisfaction; Interpersonal relations -- Periodicals; Social interaction -- Periodicals; 302.05
• DOI: 10.1177/0265407514523545
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-4075

Abstract

The positive impact of active–constructive responding (i.e., showing enthusiasm) to the sharing of good news (i.e., capitalization attempts) on relationship well-being is well documented. The objective of this research was to determine whether individuals in a close relationship benefit from training to increase active–constructive responding to partner capitalization attempts and to document its impact on relationship well-being. Compared with a joint activity control group, individuals who received training in providing active–constructive responses perceived a greater amount of gratitude from their study partner and perceived their study partner as having greater relationship satisfaction; however, there were no significant differences in reported relationship satisfaction or gratitude expression. Gratitude receipt from a study partner mediated the relationship between experimental condition and perceived study partner relationship satisfaction. These results are discussed in terms of their potential impact on interventions and future research.