| Abstract: | This study extended research on verbal person-centered (VPC) support by studying VPC in conversations, examining perceptions of support providers and receivers, testing the influence of different communication channels, and evaluating longitudinal outcomes. Two hundred fifty-five dyads composed either of two men, two women, or one man and one woman interacted in a laboratory wherein channel and level of VPC were manipulated. Evaluations of support were gathered from support providers and recipients, and recipients also reported outcomes three weeks later. Perceptions of support differed between channels, such that men providing high VPC support were evaluated more positively when using CMC, and women communicating low VPC support were evaluated more negatively online. Effects of level of VPC, channel, and provider's sex on receivers' outcomes persisted three weeks later. |
