The affective dynamics of reassurance-seeking in real-time interactions. (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lord, Kayla A.; Harkness, Kate L.; Suvak, Michael K.; Stewart, Jeremy G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of social and personal relationships. Volume 37:Number 2(2020)
• Page Start: 676
• Page End: 694
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: Depression -- interpersonal theories of depression -- real-time interactions -- reassurance-seeking -- romantic relationships; Interpersonal relations -- Periodicals; Social interaction -- Periodicals; 302.05
• DOI: 10.1177/0265407519876991
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-4075

Abstract

According to several interpersonal theories of depression, excessive reassurance-seeking is one way depressed individuals may contribute to relationship deterioration, particularly in romantic relationships. The present study is the first behavioral investigation of the hypothesis that reassurance-seeking induces negative affect in interaction partners in real time. This study also investigates potential affective precursors to reassurance-seeking behaviors. A videotaped discussion task completed by 121 women and their male romantic partners was behaviorally coded to assess reassurance-seeking and affect in both members of the couple. Female depression was measured via self-report. Results indicated that the association between female reassurance-seeking and male partner's subsequent anxiety approached statistical significance, but no other significant relations between reassurance-seeking and partner affect were found. Additionally, female anxious affect positively predicted subsequent reassurance-seeking, and depression symptoms moderated this relation. Unexpectedly, the relation between anxious affect and reassurance-seeking was stronger among women with less severe depression symptoms. Our findings support integrated and revised theories of reassurance-seeking and underscore the need to further investigate reassurance-seeking behavior in real-time interactions.