Promotion- and Prevention-Focused Support 1 Running Head: PROMOTION- AND PREVENTION-FOCUSED SUPPORT Word Count: 2498 Perceived Support for Promotion-Focused and Prevention-Focused Goals: Associations with Well-Being in Unmarried and Married Couples

Perceived emotional support from close relationship partners in times of stress is a major predictor of well-being. However, recent research has suggested that, beyond emotional support, perceived support for achieving personal goals is also important for well-being. The present study extends such research by demonstrating that associations of perceived goal-support with well-being differ depending upon both how people represent their goals and the general motivational context in which they pursue these goals. Among unmarried romantic partners, in which the context of the relationship presumably is largely attainment-oriented, perceived support for attainment-relevant, or promotion-focused, goals independently predicted relationship and personal well-being, whereas perceived support for maintenance-relevant, or prevention-focused, goals did not. In contrast, among married partners, in which the context of the relationship presumably is both attainmentand maintenance-oriented, perceived support for both promotion-focused and prevention-focused goals independently predicted well-being. Implications for forecasting and improving well-being among married couples are discussed.