The moderating effects of goals and plans on received support during emerging adults’ conversations with friends

ABSTRACT

The current study builds on the multiple goals approach and planning theory of communication to test how support seekers’ goals and plans for a conversation with a friend moderate the association between received support and conversation satisfaction. The results of the 3-group-comparison experimental design (N = 116; Condition 1: No goals and No plan, n = 38; Condition 2: Goals but No plan, n = 41; Condition 3: Goals and Plan, n = 37), found that although plans were not necessary to improve conversation satisfaction across all types of support and goals, three unique conditions emerged in which plans and goals were important. The results provide partial support for the planning theory of communication, suggest goals and plans may function as expectations or scripts for support seekers, and offer useful recommendations for emerging adults seeking support from friends.

KEYWORDS:

• Social support
• goals
• plans
• friends

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tara G. McManus

Tara G. McManus (Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6804-5465) is an Associate Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Her research focuses on the use of social support and information when managing stress and uncertainty.