Researcher(s)
- Gharem Santos, Psychology, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Dr. Lisa Jaremka, Psychology and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware
Abstract
The present study explores how participating in stress reduction training can positively impact couples’ emotional dynamics and overall satisfaction during conflict discussions. By learning effective stress management and emotional regulation techniques, couples may experience reduced emotional reactivity and more constructive communication during conflicts, leading to a stronger emotional bond and greater relationship satisfaction.
Participants (n=96) were sourced from a previous study, and all couples involved answered surveys and completed a filmed conflict discussion coded with the Rapid Marital Interaction Coding System 2. Participation in the study involved attending two visits at the lab around two weeks apart, and both visits lasted five hours. During one of the visits, participants completed the Relationship Problems Inventory (RPI) to identify areas of disagreement in their relationship. The RPI is a measure where participants rate their disagreements on common topics, such as chores, physical affection, free time, finances, and children, on a scale of 0-100. A trained lab member then guided a conflict discussion between partners based on the RPI, discussing three highly rated topics of disagreement. The researcher facilitated the conflict discussion by introducing the topics and asking participants to take turns sharing their perspectives on how these issues affected their interactions and relationships.
Researchers used the Dyadic Adjustment Scale to measure relationship quality in the study. They found that the link between partners’ behaviors during the conflict discussion was influenced by relationship quality. Participants in poorer-quality relationships showed a stronger association with their partners’ behaviors than those in higher-quality relationships.
There is a significant association between a person’s behavior at one moment and their partner’s moments later. Positive behavior precedes positive behavior, and negative behavior precedes negative behavior. As time passes, conversation behavior is most related to the most recent behavior, not behavior from minutes ago.
Implementing a stress reduction training program may improve conflict resolution skills, reducing negative emotional reactions from their partners during conflict discussions. Building on the previous findings that emphasized the importance of understanding the impact of one partner’s behavior on the other during conflict discussions, I hypothesize that a stress reduction training program can further improve these dynamics and help provide individuals with effective coping mechanisms, emotional regulation skills, and communication techniques that promote empathy and understanding.
If the stress reduction training program proves effective, it could significantly enhance conflict resolution skills and diminish adverse emotional reactions during conflicts. This could pave the way for improved well-being in romantic relationships. Recognizing the importance of stress reduction and emotional regulation in relationships may lead to the development of more targeted and effective interventions aimed at fostering healthier communication and relationship outcomes.