STRESS AND THE COGNITIVE-CONVERSATIONAL BENEFITS OF SOCIAL-INTERACTION

The present paper outlines specific coping benefits derived from conversational interactions. Apart from the input of a supportive listener, these benefits occur as a function of the distressed individual's cognitive system and certain processes necessitated by the act of speaking. Distressed individuals often experience cognitive deficits in the form of intrusive thoughts, and a narrowed focus of attention. For example, an individual coping with the death of a spouse may find him/herself repeatedly distracted by memories of the day his/her spouse died and unable to concentrate on other mental tasks or to experience thoughts and feelings not relevant to the event. The relationship between speaking about one's problems and subsequent adjustment will be outlined. The role of verbal expression in adjustment will be reviewed. The role of cognitive processes in reactions to stress will be discussed. I will then review research on conversational processes in general-with an eye towards the implications that such activity may have for adjustment to stress. The paper ends with the description of a model of cognitive-conversational coping, the role of conversational partners, and instances where conversation may have negative versus beneficial effects.