Daily perceptions of romantic partner autonomy support and undermining of health behavior

Abstract

Objective This study examined accuracy and bias in daily perceptions of a romantic partner’s autonomy support and undermining of health behaviors and the associations between misperceptions and both partners’ daily experiences. Design A sample of 106 cohabiting couples from the community completed daily reports (N = 2377) of their own and their partner’s autonomy support and undermining, and their daily experiences. Results We found tracking accuracy and projection in perceptions of provider’s autonomy support and undermining, and evidence of misperceptions: people over-perceived the provider’s undermining and under-perceived the provider’s autonomy support. Misperceptions were linked with more negative experiences, indicating support and undermining may have the most benefit and least harm when more accurately perceived. Conclusion Although there is some accuracy in daily perceptions of provider support and undermining of health behaviors, there are also biases at play in perceptions and misperceptions are linked with more negative experiences, indicating that support and undermining have the most benefit and least harm to both perceiving and providing partners when such behaviors are accurately perceived.