Mixed Messages: III. Negative Statements Within Emotional Support Messages Are More Memorable Than Positive Statements and Predict Longitudinal Outcomes

Abstract

This study explores the extent to which support recipients recall positive and negative statements within supportive messages and whether recalling positive or negative statements affected perceptions of the supporter and their messages. Three days after receiving supportive messages, recipients recalled a significantly lower proportion of positive statements but approximately the same proportion of negative statements. Support outcomes (i.e., message effectiveness and affective improvement) were affected by the proportion of negative message statements recalled three days after receiving the message but not by the proportion of positive message statements recalled. It appears negative statements may have a lasting effect on support outcomes.