TY - JOUR
T1 - Lower trait self-control, greater emotional expressivity? Evidence from romantic couples
AU - Zuo, Pei Ying
AU - Karremans, Johan C.
AU - Scheres, Anouk P.J.
AU - Kluwer, Esther S.
AU - Mosannenzadeh, Farnaz
AU - Hernandez, Dave M.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2024/8/1
Y1 - 2024/8/1
N2 - Emotional expressivity plays an essential role in the functioning and well-being of romantic relationships. In the current research, we examined the potential role of trait self-control in emotional expressivity, and predicted that trait self-control would be negatively associated with emotional expressivity. Four pre-registered studies tested this basic hypothesis using two perspectives: the partner's perspective (Study 1, N = 202; Study 2, N = 190), and the actor's perspective (Study 3, N = 177; Study 4, N = 60 couples). Across studies, regardless of perspective, the results generally showed that trait self-control was negatively associated with the experienced intensity of emotions (i.e., emotion strength), but not with the expression of positive emotions (i.e., positive expressivity). In three out of four studies, there was support for the negative association between trait self-control and the expression of negative emotions (i.e., negative expressivity). We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding the nature of the link between trait self-control and emotional expressivity, in romantic relationships and more broadly.
AB - Emotional expressivity plays an essential role in the functioning and well-being of romantic relationships. In the current research, we examined the potential role of trait self-control in emotional expressivity, and predicted that trait self-control would be negatively associated with emotional expressivity. Four pre-registered studies tested this basic hypothesis using two perspectives: the partner's perspective (Study 1, N = 202; Study 2, N = 190), and the actor's perspective (Study 3, N = 177; Study 4, N = 60 couples). Across studies, regardless of perspective, the results generally showed that trait self-control was negatively associated with the experienced intensity of emotions (i.e., emotion strength), but not with the expression of positive emotions (i.e., positive expressivity). In three out of four studies, there was support for the negative association between trait self-control and the expression of negative emotions (i.e., negative expressivity). We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding the nature of the link between trait self-control and emotional expressivity, in romantic relationships and more broadly.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85199952701&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.paid.2024.112793
DO - 10.1016/j.paid.2024.112793
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85199952701
SN - 0191-8869
VL - 231
JO - Personality and Individual Differences
JF - Personality and Individual Differences
M1 - 112793
ER -