Glossary // Glossary term Empirical
Social sharing of emotion
Talking with others about an emotional experience, which Rimé showed follows most emotional episodes and is often repeated. Sharing is associated with feeling understood, closer relationships and perceived benefit, but talking about an event did not by itself reduce the emotional impact of the memory in experimental studies. Recovery appears to depend more on the kind of response received, including cognitive help in making sense of the event, than on disclosure alone. Evidence on crying, social sharing of emotion, talking about distressing experiences and affect labelling shows that expression helps through social support, meaning and regulation rather than through discharge itself. Perceived availability of support buffers the effects of stressful events, and sharing emotions strengthens relationships. Lasting support is built through ongoing relationships rather than single intense events. The works the definition rests on, with the level of evidence each was appraised at. (2009). Emotion elicits the social sharing of emotion: Theory and empirical review. doi:10.1177/1754073908097189 Supports the claims that emotional experiences commonly elicit social sharing and that sharing has interpersonal functions. Narrative review largely of the author's own research programme. (2005). Is talking about an emotional experience helpful? Effects on emotional recovery and perceived benefits. doi:10.1002/cpp.460 Supports the claim that talking about emotions produced perceived benefits without reducing emotional impact compared with control conditions. The role of cognitive work in sharing is discussed rather than directly tested here.Where the site uses it
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