Skip to main content Accessibility help
×
Hostname: page-component-89b8bd64d-72crv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-05-08T17:02:50.105Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

7 - The power of diagnostic situations: how support and conflict can foster growth and security

from Part II - Concepts and mechanisms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 April 2016

C. Raymond Knee
Affiliation:
University of Houston
Harry T. Reis
Affiliation:
University of Rochester, New York
Get access

Summary

This chapter examines how needing support and confronting relationship conflicts can provide opportunities for relationship and personal growth. We first consider the diagnostic nature of support interactions. Relying on intimate partners for support can cause pain if partners are not adequately responsive, but partners who are sensitive to the specific needs of support recipients demonstrate that they are reliable caregivers. We also evaluate the diagnostic relevance of relationship conflicts. Conflicts carry risks of rejection and dissatisfaction, but partners who are upset by conflict and strive to solve problems can reveal just how invested they are in the relationship. Our examination of the literature reveals that by exposing the partner’s dependability and commitment, these diagnostic contexts have the power to solidify and enhance relationships. Our analysis of recent research also demonstrates that the power of these diagnostic contexts to foster growth may be strongest for people high in attachment insecurity because these situations provide the opportunity for partners to counteract negative beliefs and expectations. The research reviewed illustrates how partners’ responsive support and sensitive conflict behavior can temper the damaging responses of insecurely attached people, promote more constructive interactions, and build greater trust, satisfaction, and security.

Information

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Book purchase

Temporarily unavailable

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×