Emotional control and social connection in U.S. students: A therapy analog study.

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Title:	Emotional control and social connection in U.S. students: A therapy analog study.
Authors:	Neilson, Elizabeth C. (AUTHOR), Maitland, Daniel W. M. (AUTHOR)
Source:	Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology. Jun2026, Vol. 45 Issue 3, p251-274. 24p.
Subjects:	Therapeutic alliance, Control (Psychology), Patient-professional relations, Intimacy (Psychology), Interpersonal relations, Social belonging, Young adults, Psychological research
Geographic Terms:	United States
Abstract:	Introduction: A strong therapeutic relationship is frequently characterized by emotional intimacy between the client and therapist and enhances client outcomes. Emotional control– the tendency to suppress or avoid the expression of emotions—may affect the development of a strong therapeutic alliance. This study examined how emotional control influences the process of developing intimacy and resulting interpersonal connection in a therapy analog among young adults in the United States. Method: University students (N = 83; Mage = 19.88; SDage = 3.37) completed a measure of emotional control and participated in a therapy analog with a research assistant. Participants rated their interpersonal connection with the research assistant at pre- and post-test. Results: Emotional control moderated changes in connection; stronger tendencies toward emotional control were associated with greater changes in feeling connection with the research assistant. Discussion: Emotionally validating therapeutic interactions may be helpful for individuals who attempt to avoid expression of emotions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
	Copyright of Journal of Social & Clinical Psychology is the property of Guilford Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	Introduction: A strong therapeutic relationship is frequently characterized by emotional intimacy between the client and therapist and enhances client outcomes. Emotional control– the tendency to suppress or avoid the expression of emotions—may affect the development of a strong therapeutic alliance. This study examined how emotional control influences the process of developing intimacy and resulting interpersonal connection in a therapy analog among young adults in the United States. Method: University students (N = 83; Mage = 19.88; SDage = 3.37) completed a measure of emotional control and participated in a therapy analog with a research assistant. Participants rated their interpersonal connection with the research assistant at pre- and post-test. Results: Emotional control moderated changes in connection; stronger tendencies toward emotional control were associated with greater changes in feeling connection with the research assistant. Discussion: Emotionally validating therapeutic interactions may be helpful for individuals who attempt to avoid expression of emotions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	07367236
DOI:	10.1521/jscp.2026.45.3.251