ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews research examining the role of praise in regulating relationship security for relationship partners who tend to struggle with feeling insecure, such as those with low self-esteem or high attachment anxiety. Consistent with a model of interpersonal security regulation, people tend to detect when their partners are chronically insecure, which leads them to become vigilant about upsetting them and motivated to bolster their security. They use expression of praise as one strategy to bolster partner security, which is generally effective in helping chronically insecure partners feel more secure in their relationships. Future research directions are discussed.
