Extending the Emotion-in-Relationships Model to Conversation

Abstract

This article extends the Emotion-in-Relationships Model (ERM; Berscheid, 1983, 1991) to conversation. It begins by theorizing about how interference and facilitation from partners may predict features of message production and message processing. Then, it reports the method and findings of a study in which 125 married couples engaged in two videotaped conversations. Multilevel modeling results revealed that interference from partners corresponded with uncoordinated conversation, disaffiliative messages, unfavorable cognitive appraisals, and negative emotional reactions. With a few exceptions, facilitation from partners shared the opposite associations with the dependent variables. The article concludes by assessing the value of ERM as a theory of interpersonal communication.