How aging couples’ emotional and physiological associations change across positive, supportive, and conflictual discussions: Roles of capitalization and responsive behaviors

Dyadic, biobehavioral, and sociocultural approaches to romantic relationships and health: Implications for research, practice, and policy

“…Partners' moment-to-moment and day-to-day biological rhythms often sync, wherein their heart rates, blood pressures, galvanic skin responses, and cortisol levels change in unison (Pauly et al, 2021). Indeed, couples' HRV and skin conductance tracked together across several tasks and conversation topics (Helm et al, 2012(Helm et al, , 2014Shrout, Black, et al, 2023;Wilson et al, 2018). Although the literature is mixed and complex, synchrony correlates appear to be context-specific.…”

“…Synchrony's implications may also diverge across physiological systems (Shrout, Black, et al, 2023;Timmons et al, 2015). In a study of middle-aged and older primarily white and mixed-gender couples, synchrony was examined across several emotional and physiological markers and during positive, supportive, and conflict discussions (Shrout, Black, et al, 2023).…”

“…Synchrony's implications may also diverge across physiological systems (Shrout, Black, et al, 2023;Timmons et al, 2015). In a study of middle-aged and older primarily white and mixed-gender couples, synchrony was examined across several emotional and physiological markers and during positive, supportive, and conflict discussions (Shrout, Black, et al, 2023). Couples who were less enthusiastic, responsive, and understanding showed stronger emotional and physiological synchrony at higher levels when examining markers reflecting shared stress (negative emotion, electrodermal activity, systolic blood pressure).…”

“…Women have shown heightened reactivity to relational stress, increasing risk of developing or worsening chronic disease (Kiecolt-Glaser & Newton, 2001;Whisman et al, 2010;Whisman & Sbarra, 2012). For women but not men, greater demand-withdraw behaviors during marital discussions and higher partner strain were associated with higher inflammation (Shrout, Renna, et al, 2023;Whisman & Sbarra, 2012). In particular, wives had higher inflammation if their husbands demanded and wives withdrew, and if husbands used demand-withdraw behaviors more than their wives (Shrout, Renna, et al, 2023).…”

“…These findings could result from gendered demand-withdraw patterns in which women are more reactive to relational stress, yet also have more demanding husbands. In addition, compared to men, women had lower HRV during conflict and ruminated more about the conflict except when both spouses had high marital satisfaction (Shrout, Wilson, et al, 2023). Even when women were satisfied themselves, they experienced greater physiological and emotional reactivity when their husbands were less satisfied.…”