Positive Couple Interactions and Daily Cortisol: On the Stress-Protecting Role of Intimacy

Abstract

Our results are in line with previous studies on the effect of intimacy on cortisol stress responses in the laboratory as well as with epidemiologic data on health beneficial effects of happy marital relationships.

Close Relationships and Health in Daily Life

“…The current study provided empirical support for the protective effect of physical intimacy on somatic symptoms in everyday life and was consistent with prior research (25,26,33, 40,73). a) The study established temporal order in the link between physical intimacy and symptoms.…”

“…In addition to social integration, the quality of the available social interactions influenced neuroendocrine processes on the daily level. On days with more positive interactions in committed couples, such as higher physical partner intimacy (33,40), relationship satisfaction (44), and support (46), individuals showed lower cortisol levels than on days with fewer positive interactions (39). Close relationships can also lead to negative effects and spillover of distress from one partner to the other.…”

Adult Health in the Context of Everyday Family Life

“…For example, in a sample of German couples, more exchanges of physical affection (e.g., holding hands, hugging, having sexual intercourse) was linked with reduced cortisol secretion that day, an association that was mediated by positive affect [28]. This result is consistent with cross-sectional findings suggesting a connection between an individual's typical diurnal cortisol slope and marital quality: less positive marital relationships [29] or more marital role concerns [30] and flatter cortisol slopes on one hand, higher marital satisfaction and steeper cortisol slopes on the other hand [31].…”

Ageing, depression, anxiety, social support and the diurnal rhythm and awakening response of salivary cortisol

“…Individuals with higher levels of social support have shown a steeper diurnal decline (Sjogren et al, 2006) and lower mean cortisol levels (Turner-Cobb et al, 2000). Support in the form of intimacy has also been associated with smaller AUC (Ditzen et al, 2008). In contrast, studies have found no association between social support and the diurnal slope (Turner-Cobb et al, 2000) or diurnal cycle (Smyth et al, 1997).…”