International Encyclopedia of Communication Online

Extract

Comforting communication encompasses the verbal and nonverbal messages that people use when trying to reduce others’ emotional anguish. Thus, comforting represents a strategic communication activity that has the primary goal of alleviating another's emotional distress; it may also aim to enhance the other's self-esteem, facilitate the other's coping, and assist the other's problem-solving in a troublesome situation. Comforting is a form of behavioral empathy (→  Empathy Theory ) or social support (→  Social Support in Interpersonal Communication ) and is usually studied as a communicative activity carried out by laypersons in everyday situations; however, professionals (teachers, pastors, nurses, counselors, therapists) and para-professionals (bartenders, hairdressers) also engage in comforting communication. Typically, people seek and receive comfort from intimates in their social networks, especially friends, family members, and romantic partners; neighbors and co-workers may also be important sources of emotional support. Research indicates that comfort (or emotional support) is an important provision of close personal relationships and helps to maintain these relationships (→  Relational Maintenance ), with people evaluating their partners for the quality of the emotional support given. When provided effectively, emotional support can assist with the processing of negative emotions, ... log in or subscribe to read full text