Effects of Cognitive Complexity and Emotional Upset on Processing Supportive Messages: Two Tests of a Dual‐Process Theory of Supportive Communication Outcomes |
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| Authors: | Graham D Bodie Brant R Burleson Amanda J Holmstrom Jennifer D McCullough Jessica J Rack Lisa K Hanasono Jennifer G Rosier |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Communication Studies, The Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA;2. Department of Communication, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;3. Department of Communication, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;4. Department of Communication Studies, Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, MI 48710, USA;5. Department of Communication, University of Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA;6. Department of Communication, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA;7. School of Communication Studies, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, USA |
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| Abstract: | We report tests of hypotheses derived from a theory of supportive communication outcomes that maintains the effects of supportive messages are moderated by factors influencing the motivation and ability to process these messages. Participants in two studies completed a measure of cognitive complexity, which provided an assessment of processing ability, and reported their degree of upset with a problem situation, which was hypothesized to impact both motivation and ability; they subsequently evaluated the helpfulness of comforting messages that varied in person centeredness. Consistent with predictions, an index of message processing depth—the degree to which participants discriminated between the helpfulness of better and worse supportive messages—was associated with the factors additively in both studies and interactively in one study. |
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