The Influence of Relational Context on Support Processes: Points of Difference and Similarity between Young Adult Sons and Daughters in Problem Talk with Mothers

Abstract

The interpersonal context constitutes an important influence in the support process and likely shapes the occurrence of gender-related behavior. This study investigated similarities and differences between mother-son and mother-daughter discussions of problems in terms of both perceptions and behaviors. Results indicate that daughters reported a greater desire for emotion- and problem-focused support and evaluated mothers' provision of informational and tangible aid/network support more favorably than did sons. Sons and daughters did not differ in verbal and nonverbal disclosure behaviors when talking about the problem, and mothers provided similar amounts of both emotion-focused and problem-focused support to sons and daughters and did not differ in nonverbal involvement. These findings highlight ways in which relationally based gendered identities may influence support processes in the context of the mother-young adult child relationship.