What Do You Do When Things Go Right? The Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Benefits of Sharing Positive Events.

Abstract

Four studies examined the intrapersonal and interpersonal consequences of seeking out others when good things happen (i.e., capitalization). Two studies showed that communicating personal positive events with others was associated with increased daily positive affect and well-being, above and beyond the impact of the positive event itself and other daily events. Moreover, when others were perceived to respond actively and constructively (and not passively or destructively) to capitalization attempts, the benefits were further enhanced. Two studies found that close relationships in which one's partner typically responds to capitalization attempts enthusiastically were associated with higher relationship well-being (e.g., intimacy, daily marital satisfaction). The results are discussed in terms of the theoretical and empirical importance of understanding how people "cope" with positive events, cultivate positive emotions, and enhance social bonds.

Will you be there for me when things go right? Supportive responses to positive event disclosures.

“…Married participants and friendship dyads may show different behaviors in positive event discussions. However, we do not suspect the associations among the variables to be extremely different between married and dating couples because previous research has found, for example, similar associations among the PRCA score and relationship outcomes (e.g., satisfaction) with both dating and married couples (Gable et al, 2004, Studies 2 and 3).…”

“…Perceived Responses to Capitalization Attempts Scale (PRCA; Gable et al, 2004). Participants completed the PRCA scale, a recently developed and validated 12-item scale measuring perceptions of a partner's typical response to the sharing of positive events.…”

The costs and benefits of writing, talking, and thinking about life's triumphs and defeats.

“…In contrast, at least with respect to the maintenance of PA, the repetitive, circular, inherently unorganized nature of thought is beneficial. Recalling a wonderful moment-a triumph, a creative breakthrough, a first declaration of love-by reliving it through rehearsal and replaying may allow the individual to savor (Bryant, 1989(Bryant, , 2003 and capitalize on (Gable et al, 2004;Langston, 1994) the experience. Furthermore, reviewing a happy event-without sense making or analysis-helps the person retain a sense of mystery and thrill about the event (Wilson et al, 2005;Wilson & Gilbert, 2003).…”

Rain on my parade: Perceiving low self-esteem in close others hinders positive self-disclosure

“…Capitalization is defined as the disclosure and discussion of one"s positive personal experiences with others (Gable, Reis, Impett, & Asher, 2004;Langston, 1994). I suggest that the close others of LSEs are likely to "curb their enthusiasm" when it comes to their own positive experiences, thus depriving themselves (and their loved one!)…”