Is mindful partnering associated with physiological reactivity to marital conflict?
Date
2021-11
Authors
Seiter, Natasha S., author
Lucas-Thompson, Rachel G., author
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Volume Title
Abstract
Research suggests that high physiological reactivity to marital conflict may serve as a source of chronic stress that leads to negative health outcomes (Wanic & Kulik, 2011), as well as divorce and lower marital quality (Gottman, 2014). Mindful partnering, a newly conceptualized construct to measure interpersonal mindfulness in the relationship with one's intimate partner, may be associated with lesser physiological reactivity to marital conflict, and we hypothesized such an association in this research. Seventeen couple pairs (N= 34) visited the laboratory to complete several tasks, including questionnaires and a conflict discussion in which they discussed the largest areas of conflict in their relationship. Participants had their Respiratory Sinus Arrythmia (RSA), a measure of nervous system activation, measured during the baseline period and conflict discussion. Participants completed the Mindful Partnering Measure (MPM) to measure the extent to which one demonstrates mindful partnering in their relationship with their romantic partner. Regression analyses suggested that MPM-Mindful Awareness significantly predicted partner’s greater RSA, indicating that 9% of the variance in RSA-R was accounted for by partner’s MPM- mindful awareness (a small effect), suggesting greater relaxation and a less pronounced stress response. These results suggest that when one’s partner is fully present and attentive, it may relieve the potential stress of marital disagreement. Being present with full attention in this way may soothe a partner's nervous system by creating a feeling of being fully listened to and understood in the context of conflict.
Description
Human Development and Family Studies; co-author: Dr. Rachel Lucas-Thompson.
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Subject
marital conflict
marriage
couple communication
mindfulness