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Trait Self-Efficacy as a Moderator of Esteem Support Message Effects in the Parole/Probation Agent-Client Relationship

Amanda J. Holmstrom,M. Morash,Amanda R. Witwer

Published 2025 in Communication Studies

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT Research derived from the cognitive-emotional theory of esteem support messages (CETESM) demonstrates that messages that help recipients to reappraise an esteem-threatening event can enhance their state self-esteem. The dual-process theory of supportive communication outcomes posits that various factors moderate the effects of supportive message quality. The present study examines how certain tenets of the dual-process theory of supportive communication outcomes may be integrated with the CETESM to examine the role of trait self-efficacy in parole and probation clients’ evaluations of the extent to which esteem support messages provided by agents may enhance their state self-esteem. Millions of people in the United States are under community supervision, and they face myriad esteem threats. They may benefit from the receipt of esteem support from their parole and probation agents, who are a key source of support. In the present research, clients (N = 278) rated esteem support messages varying on an indicator of message quality, degree of emotion focus, on anticipated state self-esteem improvement. As predicted, high emotion-focused (HEF) messages were rated higher on anticipated state self-esteem improvement than low emotion-focused (LEF) messages. Trait self-efficacy moderated the relationship between degree of message emotion focus and anticipated state self-esteem improvement; decomposition of this interaction revealed that contrary to prediction, those higher in trait self-efficacy rated LEF messages as more effective than those lower in trait self-efficacy. Also contrary to prediction, trait self-efficacy was unassociated with HEF message ratings. Implications for theory and for communication skills training for correctional agents are discussed.

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