Lower trait self-control, greater emotional expressivity? Evidence from romantic couples

Abstract

Emotional expressivity plays an essential role in the functioning and well-being of romantic relationships. In the current research, we examined the potential role of trait self-control in emotional expressivity, and predicted that trait self-control would be negatively associated with emotional expressivity. Four pre-registered studies tested this basic hypothesis using two perspectives: the partner's perspective (Study 1, N = 202; Study 2, N = 190), and the actor's perspective (Study 3, N = 177; Study 4, N = 60 couples). Across studies, regardless of perspective, the results generally showed that trait self-control was negatively associated with the experienced intensity of emotions (i.e., emotion strength), but not with the expression of positive emotions (i.e., positive expressivity). In three out of four studies, there was support for the negative association between trait self-control and the expression of negative emotions (i.e., negative expressivity). We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding the nature of the link between trait self-control and emotional expressivity, in romantic relationships and more broadly.