CAN’T STOP THINKING ABOUT OTHERS’ PROBLEMS: COUPLING OF DAILY SUPPORT PROVISION AND COGNITIVE INTERFERENCE
2024
Thinking About Others' Problems and Its Effects
Sample size: 1236
publication
Evidence: high
Author Information
Author(s): Cichy Kelly, Witzel Dakota, Stawski Robert
Primary Institution: Kent State University
Hypothesis
Does providing social support lead to increased cognitive interference?
Conclusion
Providing emotional support can increase cognitive interference, even when controlling for negative feelings.
Supporting Evidence
- Cognitive interference was higher on days individuals provided emotional support compared to non-support days.
- The study controlled for age and gender in its analysis.
- Gender did not moderate the associations between support provision and cognitive interference.
Takeaway
When you help others, it can make you think more about their problems, which might make you feel more stressed.
Methodology
Data from the National Study of Daily Experiences was used to examine the relationship between daily support provision and cognitive interference.
Participant Demographics
Participants had an average age of 62.6 years, with 57% being women.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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