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The use and consequences of expressive suppression in high-risk and low-risk relationship discussions.

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: = 130 couples), expressive suppression was assessed for negative and positive emotions separately. In both studies, participants reported suppressing emotions more intensely in high-risk than in low-risk contexts. Actors' (and sometimes partners') expressive suppression was also associated with lower perceived responsiveness and closeness. However, results regarding whether suppression was associated with worse relational outcomes in the high-risk versus low-risk context were inconsistent, depending on the specificity of emotions assessed with the suppression measure (general, negative, or positive) and the relational outcome. The findings suggest that expressive suppression might be harmful regardless of the risk of relationship interactions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Source: Emotion

DOI: 10.1037/emo0001494

Authors: Laura Sels, Nickola C. Overall, Tom Loeys, Pauline Verhelst, Elise K. Kalokerinos

Institutions: Ghent University, University of Auckland, The University of Melbourne

Language: English

Topic: Attachment and Relationship Dynamics

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Universiteit Gent, Australian Research Council