title: Preferences for Social Support During Social Evaluation in Men: The Role of Worry About a Relationship Partner's Negative Evaluation.
abstract: Most individuals seek proximity to support figures when distressed. However, individuals may not want a relationship partner present when their performance is being evaluated during difficult tasks, because they would worry about their partner's evaluation. Male participants' performance on difficult tasks was evaluated by critical judges. Then participants were asked if they wanted a close relationship partner present when they come back for similar tasks the following week. Worry about a partner's negative evaluation predicted not wanting the partner present. The direct effect of attachment-related anxiety on wanting more support was suppressed by its indirect effects in the opposite direction through distress and worry about a partner's negative evaluation. The indirect effect of attachment-related avoidance on wanting less support through distress and worry about partner's negative evaluation was also significant. Findings contribute to our understanding of preferences for support and effects on well-being.
authors.affiliation: a University of Alabama at Birmingham.
authors.forename: Jinhong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: a University of Alabama at Birmingham.
authors.forename: Bulent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Turan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009769:Object Attachment; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: attachment; social evaluation; social support; worry about negative evaluation