Effects of Provider Identity and Locus of Supportive Conversation on Coping With an Identity-Threatening Stressor

Abstract

Guided by theory that posits outcomes of supportive interactions are shaped by source and message factors, this study examines two relevant features of interactions: the social identity of a support provider and locus of a supportive conversation. This study extends research on supportive communication by examining three possible identities of a provider (in-group, moderate out-group, out-group) alongside provider- or receiver-focused conversations. Participants (N = 200) coping with an identity-threatening stressor related to their college major engaged in an interaction with a confederate who manipulated their identity and locus of the conversation. Immediately following the supportive conversation, participants reported higher cognitive reappraisal when interacting with in-group and moderate out-group providers compared with out-group providers. Analyses revealed a disordinal interaction on internalized stigma, suggesting that the effects of provider- and receiver-focused messages depend on a provider’s identity. Interaction effects also persisted 3 weeks later.