Citation

Mitchell AE, Castellani AM, Herrington RL, Joseph JI, Doss BD, Snyder DK. J. Fam. Psychol. 2008; 22(1): 21-29.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Texas A and M University.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, American Psychological Association)

DOI

10.1037/0893-3200.22.1.21

PMID

18266529

Abstract

The interpersonal process model of intimacy (H. T. Reis and P. Shaver, 1988) proposes that self-disclosure and empathic responding form the basis of intimate interactions. This study examined this model in 102 community couples who completed intimacy measures following videotaped discussions about relationship injuries occurring both within and outside the relationship. Observational assessments of self-disclosure and empathic responding, as well as their respective components, were related to self-reported ratings of post-interaction intimacy. Men's own disclosure and empathic responding predicted their feelings of intimacy, whereas women's intimacy was predicted by their partner's disclosure and empathic responding. Self-disclosure and empathic responding appear to be important behavioral determinants of intimate feelings, but the manner in which they influence intimacy differs according to gender.

Language: en