The Illocutionary Force of Supportive Communication: The Effects of Messages Features on Physiological Stress Recovery

• In Event: Social Support and Physiological and Self-Reported Indicators of Stress: Tests of the Buffering Hypothesis

Abstract

This study examines how message features during a supportive interaction impact physiological stress recovery after a stressful event, as measured by cortisol. Hypotheses predicted that explicitness, argument strength, and involvement are associated with greater stress recovery. The interactions were coded for explicitness, argument strength, and involvement. The hypotheses were supported. Furthermore, the impact of the message features remained significant when accounting for variation in cortisol recovery due to participants’ perception of support during the interaction.

Authors

• Jennifer Priem, Penn State University

• Denise Solomon, Penn State University