title: When giving feels good. The intrinsic benefits of sacrifice in romantic relationships for the communally motivated.
abstract: Who benefits most from making sacrifices for others? The current study provides one answer to this question by demonstrating the intrinsic benefits of sacrifice for people who are highly motivated to respond to a specific romantic partner's needs noncontingently, a phenomenon termed communal strength. In a 14-day daily-experience study of 69 romantic couples, communal strength was positively associated with positive emotions during the sacrifice itself, with feeling appreciated by the partner for the sacrifice, and with feelings of relationship satisfaction on the day of the sacrifice. Furthermore, feelings of authenticity for the sacrifice mediated these associations. Several alternative hypotheses were ruled out: The effects were not due to individuals higher in communal strength making qualitatively different kinds of sacrifices, being more positive in general, or being involved in happier relationships. Implications for research and theory on communal relationships and positive emotions are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Hong Kong, 724 Knowles Building, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong. alexbkogan@gmail.com
authors.forename: Aleksandr
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kogan
authors.forename: Emily A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Impett
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Oveis
authors.forename: Bryant
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hui
authors.forename: Amie M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Dacher
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Keltner
mesh_terms: D000533:Altruism; D004644:Emotions; D005191:Family Characteristics; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D012938:Social Perception