Discrepancy between Support Expectation and Reception, Self-esteem, Depression, and Emotional Reliance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among the following four variables: discrepancy between expectation and reception of support, emotional reliance, self-esteem, and depression. Longitudinal data from 44 university students were collected, with the first questionnaire measuring, among others, self-esteem, depression, expectation of support from a significant other, and emotional reliance, and the second two months later measuring self-esteem, depression, and reception of support from the same person. Results showed that the discrepancy between expectation and reception of support predicted lower self-esteem and higher depression, as reported by Nakamura & Ura (2000). Furthermore, the relationship between the discrepancy and low self-esteem was most apparent for those high on emotional reliance.