Assessing the Functions of Supportive Messages: Experimental Studies of Social Support

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-1992

Department

Communication Studies

School

Communication

Abstract

This article reports two studies of the process by which supportive messages in nonintimate relationships yield positive outcomes. The first experiment compares the efficacy of instrumental and emotional support in reducing distress and improving performance on a cognitive task. The second experiment examines the perceived effectiveness of instrumental and emotional support messages. The results suggest that instrumental support provided by an experimenter improves performance and is evaluated positively.

Publication Title

Communication Research

Volume

19

Issue

2

First Page

175

Last Page

192

Link to Full Text

Find in your library

Share

COinS