Confirmation in personal relationships

Abstract

Through our interactions in our personal relationships, we create relational climates, or how we feel regarded in our relationships. Confirmation is conceptualized as messages that accept and validate the individual but that also encourage growth. Accordingly, confirmation theory centers on how a confirming climate built across an accumulation of interactions should foster healthier psychological, behavioral, and relational outcomes. Research in various contexts such as parent-adolescent relationships and development, health communication among romantic partners, teacher-student relationships, and coach-athlete relationships supports the beneficial effects of confirmation as well as the deleterious effects of disconfirmation. In addition to reviewing the relevant literature, conclusions and future directions are discussed.