Effects of Provider Identity and Locus of Supportive Conversation on Coping With an Identity-Threatening Stressor. (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Crowley, Jenny L.; High, Andrew C.
• Is Part Of: Communication research. Volume 47:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 487
• Page End: 511
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: supportive communication -- identity-threatening stressors -- social identity -- stigma -- longitudinal effects; Communication -- Research -- Periodicals; 302.2
• DOI: 10.1177/0093650219855906
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0093-6502

Abstract

Guided by theory that posits outcomes of supportive interactions are shaped by source and message factors, this study examines two relevant features of interactions: the social identity of a support provider and locus of a supportive conversation. This study extends research on supportive communication by examining three possible identities of a provider (in-group, moderate out-group, out-group) alongside provider- or receiver-focused conversations. Participants ( N = 200) coping with an identity-threatening stressor related to their college major engaged in an interaction with a confederate who manipulated their identity and locus of the conversation. Immediately following the supportive conversation, participants reported higher cognitive reappraisal when interacting with in-group and moderate out-group providers compared with out-group providers. Analyses revealed a disordinal interaction on internalized stigma, suggesting that the effects of provider- and receiver-focused messages depend on a provider's identity. Interaction effects also persisted 3 weeks later.