Semester
Spring
Date of Graduation
2011
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Psychology
Committee Chair
Tracy L. Morris.
Abstract
Previous research has identified parental rejection and control as important factors in the development of childhood anxiety. However, information about the relationship between these constructs and child outcomes has been limited by ambiguous definition and difficulty in performing experimental manipulations. This study attempted to address these issues by examining self-reported anxiety and anxious behavior in 47 college undergraduates who interacted with either a warm- responsive partner or a critical-controlling partner during an origami task. Results showed that participant condition significantly impacted self report of anxiety-distress, anger-frustration, liking for partner, and desire to see partner again. Participants who interacted with a critical-controlling partner also engaged in higher rates of self-criticism and were less likely to respond to their partner or praise the dyad than participants who interacted with a warm-responsive partner. These findings lend support to parental behavior as an important factor in establishing and maintaining patterns of anxious responding in children.
Recommended Citation
Prout, Joanna T., "Dyadic Interaction: The Effects of Controlling and Critical Behavior versus Warm and Responsive Behavior on Participant Behavior and Emotional Response" (2011). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 3435.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/3435