Mapping the terrain of person-centered supportive conversations. Issue 4 (2nd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jones, Susanne M.; Bodie, Graham D.; Youngvorst, Lucas; Navarro, Michael; Danielson, Carly
• Is Part Of: Communication monographs. Volume 85:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 467
• Page End: 490
• Publication Date: 2018-10-02
• Subjects: Emotional support -- enacted support -- person centeredness -- supportive conversations; Communication -- Periodicals; 302.2
• DOI: 10.1080/03637751.2018.1501503
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0363-7751

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study explores the conversational terrain of supportive conversations that vary in person centeredness (PC). Our team transcribed and unitized 223 conversations in which a discloser talked about an upsetting event to a listener trained to exhibit either low (LPC), moderate (MPC), or highly person-centered (HPC) comfort. Each utterance was coded for PC with a modified version of the traditional nine-level hierarchy. HPC-coded turns comprised 24% of HPC conversations, while LPC-coded turns comprised almost half of LPC conversations. Over 95% of turns in MPC conversations were classified as MPC. Additionally, turn-level coding and global ratings of PC differentially predicted outcomes. We discuss the implications of these conversational profiles in the context of how the PC content of conversations might aid in cognitive reappraisal.