PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS, RELATIONSHIP QUALITY, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT PERCEPTIONS AND BEHAVIOR IN YOUNG-ADULT ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS

This study investigated three questions: (1) Do both personal characte ristics and perceived qualities of romantic relationships contribute t o partners' perceptions of support? (2) Do these variables predict sup portive behavior in partner interactions that can be observed by other s? (3) How do situational characteristics affect the predictors of obs erved supportive behavior? Eighty-six university undergraduates and th eir romantic partners completed a questionnaire packet and participate d in a structured videotaped interaction that included a stress-induci ng intervention. Participants' perceived support from the relationship was predicted by participants' own personal characteristics and view of the relationship. as well as by partners' personal characteristics. Observed supportive behavior in a somewhat familiar task was related to personal characteristics of both partners and their views of the re lationship. Supportive behavior after an experimenter-administered str essor was predicted only by the couple's personal characteristics. Res ults demonstrate how study of social support in close relationships ca n advance understanding of relations between support perception and su pport receipt.