Targeting interpersonal emotion dynamics as a mechanism for increasing wellbeing in romantic couples

Title: Targeting interpersonal emotion dynamics as a mechanism for increasing wellbeing in romantic couples Principal Investigators: Eran Bar-Kalifa (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev); Ben Shahar (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Emily Bulter (The University of Arizona); David Sbarra (The University of Arizona).

Short Abstract in Lay Terms Romantic relationships, especially marriage and other pair-bonds, play a central and significant role in adult life. High-quality relationships confer good health for a range of outcomes, and, similarly, low-quality relationships increase the risk for a variety of morbidities and even early mortality. Central to these outcomes is the regulation of emotion in the context of close relationships, and perhaps especially the ways in which people interact in and around their affective experiences. The proposed study focuses on one intriguing phenomenon: During immediate interpersonal interactions, and especially emotionally laden ones between romantic partners, the physiology of one person becomes intertwined with her/his partner. The correlates and consequences of this physiological linkage (PL), however, are not well understood— some studies show PL is associated with favorable outcomes whereas others show it is correlated with adverse ones. The primary aim of the proposed project is to delve deeply into this phenomenon by examining patterns of PL, the ways PL vary as a function of the interactional context (negative vs. positive), and the physiological systems involved. Furthermore, we will test, for the first time, the role of PL in the process of change as distressed couples complete a course of couple therapy. Specifically, we will examine whether improving couples’ emotional communication sets in motion a mutually reinforcing cycle of changes in PL and wellbeing over time, that in turn promotes long-term relational and personal wellbeing. In our view, given the centrality of close relationships to health and well-being, work of this nature may be especially informative to achieve a better grasp on how dyadic processes shape health and how they can be successfully addressed in treatment. Given that roughly 3 of 10 marriages (or marriage-like) relationships are severely distressed, identifying markers of risk and resilience is a timely and significant endeavor. Studies that yield insight into these processes have the potential to be highly beneficial to broad public health by elucidating the specific mechanisms that shape salubrious health outcomes.