Citation

Fischer MS, Baucom BRW, Baucom DH, Sheng E, Atkins DC, Hahlweg K. Fam. Process 2019; 58(2): 463-477.

Affiliation

Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Family Process Institute, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/famp.12406

PMID

30412301

Abstract

Maladaptive emotional reactivity and dysfunctional communication during couple conflict are both destructive to couple functioning, and observational research has elucidated how conflict escalates. However, much of the evidence is based on measures that combine content (i.e., what was said) and the emotion with which it was said, which are then examined using sequential analyses. Despite the general presumptions about underlying emotional reactivity and escalation in negative emotions as part of relationship distress and deterioration, little empirical data are available that directly examine these continuous shifts in emotions. The current study examined concurrent and longitudinal associations between relationship satisfaction and trajectories of change in vocally expressed emotional arousal during couple conflict in 62 couples who participated in a relationship education program. Contrary to expectations and patterns found in distressed couples, trajectories followed a U-shape rather than an inverted U-shape curve, with steeper and more persistent decreases in emotional arousal predicting more stable relationship satisfaction over time. In addition, there were within-couple effects. These results suggest that early signs for relationship deterioration may be less in the form of overt escalation as would be seen in distressed couples. Instead, couples who subsequently deteriorate more are less effective in calming emotional arousal. They also are less able to remain at lower emotional arousal. It is possible that the more pronounced escalation toward the end of the conversation in more at-risk couples is a precursor of the greater escalation patterns seen in distressed couples; this should be examined empirically. Limitations and implications are discussed.

© 2018 Family Process Institute.

Language: en

Keywords

Couples; Emotional Arousal; Emotional Reactivity; Fundamental Frequency; Relationship Education; Relationship Satisfaction; agitación emocional; capacitación en relaciones; frecuencia fundamental; parejas; reactividad emocional; satisfacción con la relación; 伴侣; 关系教育; 关系满意度; 情绪反应; 情绪觉醒; 根本频率