THE FIVE FACTORS OF PERSONALITY AND INTERPERSONAL ...

eluctantly provided support. The questionnaires assessed deservedness of fate, level of
effort to solve the problem, past reciprocal support from the person in need, and cost of
the support to the provider. Resuhs indicated that reluctant support was related to lower
ratings of effort and higher ratings of fate In contrast, when support was eagerlv
provided, cost to the provider was lower and reciprochy was higher. Jung (1988)
concluded that support willingness is dependent upon the relationship context in w hich it
occurs.
Hill (1991) examined the personal characteristics of individuals in need of
emotional support and potential support providers. It was hypothesized that individuals
with strong affiliative needs would be more willing to solicit emotional support when
their partner was warm and empathetic. Subjects completed questionnaires that assessed
their affiliative needs, interpersonal warmth, and empathy towards others The subjects
were then given information about the expressiveness of a potential support provider
(e.g., warmth and empathy) and were given the option of engaging in a mutual support
interaction. The subjects rated the degree to which they would be willing to discuss a
problem whh the described support provider, but were debriefed before actual
interactions occurred. The resuhs revealed that the expressiveness of the potential
support provider influenced whether emofional support was requested When the support
provider was perceived to be warm and empathetic, the subjects were more willing to
participate in a support interaction This was especially true when the support seeker was
high in affiliative needs. It appears that emotionally supportive interactions are most
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