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Do actions speak louder? The primacy of verbal person-centeredness for patients with invisible illness

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Guided by conversationally induced reappraisal and discrepant verbal–nonverbal profile theories, this study examines how verbal person-centeredness (VPC) and nonverbal immediacy jointly influence emotional outcomes for patients with invisible illnesses. In a 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 online experiment (N = 497), participants coping with anxiety or chronic pain received supportive messages varying in VPC, nonverbal immediacy, and source (health care provider vs. fellow patient). Structural equation modeling showed that high VPC had stronger indirect effects on emotional improvement via cognitive reappraisal and perceived goodwill than low VPC, regardless of support source. Nonverbal immediacy enhanced outcomes via perceived goodwill, but only when paired with high VPC, suggesting the primacy of verbal (in)validation in invisible illness contexts.

Source: Communication Monographs

DOI: 10.1080/03637751.2026.2715432

Authors: Danni Liao, Grace M. Hildenbrand, Jia Yan, Huai-yu Chen

Institutions: University of Kentucky, Louisiana State University in Shreveport, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, National Taiwan Normal University

Language: English

Topic: Patient-Provider Communication in Healthcare

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7203832364

FWCI:

Cites: 47

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