Relationship “jet lag” in long-distance and geographically close relationships: The impact of relationship transitions on emotional functioning.

Abstract

Individuals in romantic relationships must be able to transition between phases in which they are operating as a couple and others when they are operating as individuals. Individuals who struggle to make the mental "set shift" into their current phase may experience disrupted functioning. Importantly, some may be more vulnerable to set shifting challenges; for instance, relationship proximity (long-distance relationships [LDRs] vs. geographically close relationships [GCRs]), relationship satisfaction, and an individual's preference for a particular phase may influence set shifting abilities. The current investigation sought to understand factors which predict challenges in couples' set shifting and how set shifting impacts subsequent emotional functioning. This study surveyed LDR (n = 29) and GCR (n = 30) couples at distinct timepoints: shortly after transitioning into a (a) reunion phase (i.e., physically together) and (b) separation phase (i.e., physically apart). Results found that individuals in LDRs relative to those in GCRs reported greater difficulties set shifting into separation, and these difficulties were associated with greater negative affect postseparation. Those more relationally satisfied reported fewer difficulties set shifting into reunion and subsequently experienced lower negative affect after reuniting. Moreover, one's preferred state was associated with set shifting into each phase and subsequent negative affect. In total, these findings serve as an early step to highlight predictors of challenges across transition between being together as a couple versus being separated. Further research in these areas can provide deeper understanding of how partners make these mental shifts and be most functional when apart and reunited.

Multimodal analysis of temporal affective variability within treatment for depression.

“…Starting with Rice and Wagstaff’s (1967) pioneering ideas, researchers have used speech- and voice-related measures to study psychotherapy processes. Technological innovations have led to a sharp increase in these studies in recent years (e.g., Baucom et al, 2015; Fischer et al, 2023; Tomicic et al, 2015; Weber et al, 2022). Several vocal features have been explored in psychopathology studies, in particular ones that focus on depression, and include vocal arousal (VA) prosody, level, and variability (Alpert et al, 2001; Yang et al, 2013), VA range (Breznitz, 1992), and speech-rate and pause variability (Mundt et al, 2012).…”

Together, but Alone: A Thematic Analysis of the Athletes’ and Their Partners’ Experience of Physical Separation in Romantic Relationships

“…The decision to be away from a loved one is related to the repeated separation-reunion cycle (Pistole, 2010). The need to switch between phases of being together and being apart in LDRs may contribute to the greater difficulty in switching to the separation stage compared to geographically close dating relationships (GCDR), and these difficulties may be associated with stronger negative affect after separation (Weber et al, 2022). Partners may perceive the separation as a minor inconvenience or despair, and the negative consequences of separation (e.g., insecurity, loneliness, domestic responsibilities) may significantly outweigh the positive consequences (e.g., sense of independence and career advancement) (Stewart & Donald, 2006).…”