RT Journal Article
T1 How Power Affects Emotional Communication During Relationship Conflicts: The Role of Perceived Partner Responsiveness
A1 Alonso Ferrés, María
A1 Righetti, Francesca
A1 Valor-Segura, Inmaculada
A1 Expósito, Francisca
AB Prior research indicated that lack of power leads to emotional suppression and low emotional expression during conflicts among strangers. However, little is known about how power affects emotional inhibition in close relationships, where partners are highly interdependent, and achieving one’s goals greatly depends on their partner’s cooperation. In three studies among romantic couples (total N = 994), we examined whether (a) power is related to emotional inhibition during conflicts, (b) perceived partner responsiveness moderates this effect and, (c) which conflict-resolution responses are subsequently enacted. Findings consistently showed that powerless individuals were more likely to inhibit their emotions and consequently to use passive responses during conflicts. However, this only occurred when they perceived lack of responsiveness from their partner. If the partner was perceived as responsive (i.e., showed care, validation, and understanding), power was not related to emotional inhibition and passive resolutions. The importance of partner’s responses in relation to power asymmetry is discussed.
PB SAGE
SN 1948-5514
YR 2021
FD 2021-03-02
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/99771
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/99771
LA eng
NO Alonso-Ferres, M., Righetti, F., Valor-Segura, I., & Expósito, F. (2021). How Power Affects Emotional Communication During Relationship Conflicts: The Role of Perceived Partner Responsiveness. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 12(7), 1203-1215. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550621996496
DS Docta Complutense
RD 25 feb 2026