The social consequences of expressive suppression.

TLDR

Expressive suppression is a common strategy in social interactions. The study aims to test whether expressive suppression disrupts communication and raises stress. The authors conducted two studies with unacquainted female pairs discussing an upsetting topic, randomly assigning one partner to suppress, respond naturally, or reappraise. Results show that suppression disrupts communication, increases blood pressure in both partners, harms emotional experience, reduces rapport, and hinders relationship formation.

Abstract

At times, people keep their emotions from showing during social interactions. The authors' analysis suggests that such expressive suppression should disrupt communication and increase stress levels. To test this hypothesis, the authors conducted 2 studies in which unacquainted pairs of women discussed an upsetting topic. In Study 1, one member of each pair was randomly assigned to (a) suppress her emotional behavior, (b) respond naturally, or (c) cognitively reappraise in a way that reduced emotional responding. Suppression alone disrupted communication and magnified blood pressure responses in the suppressors' partners. In Study 2, suppression had a negative impact on the regulators' emotional experience and increased blood pressure in both regulators and their partners. Suppression also reduced rapport and inhibited relationship formation.