Patrick E. Shrout, Craig M. Herman, and Niall Bolger, Department of Psychology, New York University.
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The costs and benefits of practical and emotional support on adjustment: A daily diary study of couples experiencing acute stress
Article first published online: 23 FEB 2006
DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-6811.2006.00108.x
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How to Cite
SHROUT, P. E., HERMAN, C. M. and BOLGER, N. (2006), The costs and benefits of practical and emotional support on adjustment: A daily diary study of couples experiencing acute stress. Personal Relationships, 13: 115–134. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-6811.2006.00108.x
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Patrick E. Shrout, Craig M. Herman, and Niall Bolger, Department of Psychology, New York University.
This research was supported by grant MH60366 from the National Institute of Mental Health. We thank James Cranford, Marci Gleason, Masumi Iida, Maryhope Howland, Gisela Michel, Eshkol Rafaeli, Gwen Seidman, and other members of the New York University Couples lab for comments on earlier versions of this manuscript. We also are grateful for the helpful criticism and suggestions made by associate editor, Ximena Arriaga.
Publication History
- Issue published online: 23 FEB 2006
- Article first published online: 23 FEB 2006
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Abstract
Emotional support from intimate partners has been shown to have both costs and benefits for daily anxious and depressed moods (N. Bolger, A. Zuckerman, & R. C. Kessler, 2000). We examine whether similar costs and benefits are found for practical support, and when fatigue, vigor, and anger are outcomes. Results are based on daily diary reports from 68 recent law school graduates and their intimate partners during the month before the New York State bar examination. Partners’ reports of practical support provision to the examinee were beneficial in that they were associated with decreased examinee fatigue and increased examinee vigor. In contrast, examinees’ recognition of emotional support receipt was costly in that it was associated with increases in anger, as well as anxious and depressed mood. Results highlight the distinction between emotional and practical support and are consistent with findings that suggest that invisible (provided but not recognized) support leads to the best outcomes.