When We’re Asked to Change: The Role of Suppression and Reappraisal in Partner Change Outcomes

Sisson, Natalie M.; Wang, Grace A.; Le, Bonnie M.; Stellar, Jennifer E.; Impett, Emily A.

doi:10.1177/02654075221078881

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Targets self-reported their motivation to change using a composite of four items drawn from previous research (Le et al, 2020;Overall et al, 2009;Sisson et al, 2022): "I will put in effort to make this change for my partner," "I feel motivated to make this change," "I will be successful in making this change," and "I will accomplish this change" (α = .89; M = 5.94, SD = 0.85).…”

Section: Motivation To Changementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Participants reported on their own change success in their role as the target in the lab conversation. A total of six items were used to assess perceived target change success, with a combination of items drawn from previous research and created for the current study (Le et al, 2020;Overall et al, 2009;Sisson et al, 2022). The first five items included the following, "Please answer the following questions about the change your partner requested OF YOU when you took part in the lab portion of this study.…”

Section: Longitudinal Follow-up Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Expressed and Perceived Honesty Benefits Relationships Even When Couples Are Not Accurate

Le,

Chee,

Shimshock

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Honesty is a virtue that is highly valued across societies, yet can be challenging to enact, especially when truthful expressions may hurt others. We tested preregistered hypotheses on the distinct personal and interpersonal effects of expressed honesty, perceived honesty, and honest connections (i.e., accurate perceptions of expressed honesty) on well-being and change among couples. Romantic partners (N = 214 couples; N = 428) discussed a desired change in the lab and reported on their well-being and motivation to change concurrently and three months later. Honesty and well-being were self-reported and rated by observers, with results indicating correspondence between self and observer reports. Results of multilevel response surface analyses showed that greater expressed and perceived honesty—but not honest connections—predicted greater personal well-being, relationship quality, and target motivation to change concurrently, with some benefits emerging over time. Results could not be explained by couples’ baseline relationship satisfaction, communication styles, or the severity of the issue discussed. Benefits were most observed for self-reported honesty, suggesting that the internal experience and perception of honesty is most consequential for relational outcomes. The current results have important implications for understanding honesty as an interpersonal communication process. We find that honesty can benefit relationships even when the truth may hurt, with more expressed and perceived honesty fostering better relationships regardless of whether couples share in that perception of honesty.

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Section: Motivation To Changementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Longitudinal Follow-up Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Expressed and Perceived Honesty Benefits Relationships Even When Couples Are Not Accurate

Le,

Chee,

Shimshock

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Chinese young adults' emotion regulation and conflict resolution response profiles, and their associations with perceived partner responsiveness and romantic relationship satisfaction

Zhang,

Chen

2024

Personal Relationships

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Interpersonal conflicts are common in romantic relationships. How to respond and cope with conflicts impacts the romantic relationship process and outcomes. This study examined the heterogeneity of Chinese youth's cognitive emotion regulation (CER) strategies and conflict resolution responses, as well as their collective influence on individuals' perceived partner responsiveness (PPR) and relationship satisfaction. We recruited 300 Chinese youth who were currently involved in romantic relationships to complete self‐reported measures of CER (reappraisal and suppression), conflict resolution responses in romantic relationships (exit, voice, neglect, and loyalty), PPR, and relationship satisfaction. We used latent profile analysis (LPA) to classify the combined effects of CER and conflict resolution responses, identifying four profiles: releasing, gentle, proactive, and inhibiting. Proactive communicators have significantly higher levels of relationship satisfaction compared to the other three groups and significantly higher levels of PPR compared to individuals in releasing and inhibiting profiles. Individuals in releasing and gentle profiles have significantly higher relationship satisfaction and PPR than individuals in the inhibiting profile. This study uncovered the possible associations between Chinese young adults' emotion regulation and conflict response profiles and romantic relationship process and outcome by adopting the person‐centered approach. We further discussed the practical implications of the findings.

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Thank You for Changing: Gratitude Promotes Autonomous Motivation and Successful Partner Regulation

Sisson,

Park,

Overall

et al. 2024

Pers Soc Psychol Bull

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Romantic partners often attempt to improve their relationship by changing each other’s traits and behaviors, but such partner regulation is often unsuccessful. We examined whether gratitude expressed by agents (i.e., partners requesting change) facilitates greater regulation success from targets (i.e., partners making change) by encouraging targets’ autonomous motivation. Across studies, including observational (Study 1, N = 111 couples), preregistered longitudinal (Study 2, N = 150 couples), and experimental (Study 3a, N = 431; Study 3b, N = 725) designs, agents’ gratitude for targets’ efforts was linked to greater targets’—and less consistently agents’—reported regulation success. These effects were consistently mediated by greater target autonomous motivation, and generally persisted when accounting for how agents communicated their change request and other positive responses to targets’ efforts (e.g., positivity and support). Gratitude for targets’ efforts appears to be an important tool for promoting change success.

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When We’re Asked to Change: The Role of Suppression and Reappraisal in Partner Change Outcomes

Cited by 3 publications

References 53 publications

Expressed and Perceived Honesty Benefits Relationships Even When Couples Are Not Accurate

Expressed and Perceived Honesty Benefits Relationships Even When Couples Are Not Accurate

Chinese young adults' emotion regulation and conflict resolution response profiles, and their associations with perceived partner responsiveness and romantic relationship satisfaction

Thank You for Changing: Gratitude Promotes Autonomous Motivation and Successful Partner Regulation

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