Face concerns, the communication medium, and supportive conversations: A dynamic dyadic systems approach examining conversational motifs

We adopt a dynamic dyadic systems approach and use the impression management model to examine how a support seeker’s concerns with a face threat and the communication medium influence supportive conversations. Using secondary data (N = 176 dyads), we identified seven conversational motifs involving five-turn sequences of talk between seekers and providers that appeared regularly during conversations. Motifs involving the discussion of feelings were more likely when the prospect of a face threat was not salient and communicating using instant messaging. Inconsistent with our predictions, the problem description motif involving the sharing of facts about the problem was more prevalent when the potential for a face threat was salient and communicating face-to-face. Also contrary to our predictions, the expressing and implicitly recognizing feelings motif was associated with increased seeker distress.