“You’re going to eat that?” Relationship processes and conflict among mixed-weight couples

Abstract

This study examines conflict among heterosexual mixed-weight (i.e., one overweight and one healthy weight partner) and matched-weight couples (N ¼ 43 couples). Participant sex, eating together, partner health support, and negative partner influence were examined as moderators of the association between weight status and conflict. Using dyadic models, we found that mixed-weight couples, specifically couples including overweight women and healthy weight men, reported greater conflict both generally and on a daily basis, compared to matched-weight couples; however, general conflict was reduced with greater perceived support from the partner. Mixed-weight couples who reported eating together more frequently also reported greater general conflict. These findings suggest that mixed-weight couples may experience more conflict than matched-weight couples, but perceived support from the partner can buffer this conflict. This research suggests that interpersonal dynamics associated with mixed-weight status might be important for romantic partners' relational and personal health.

Distinguishing emotional coregulation from codysregulation: An investigation of emotional dynamics and body weight in romantic couples.

“…Only data from the laboratory portion was used in the present analyses (for other analyses of this data set see: (Burke et al, 2012; Randall et al, 2013; Reed et al, 2013). Participants were recruited from online advertisements posted on Craig’s List.…”

“…Specifically, weight status can be thought of as both a cause and a consequence of interpersonal emotional processes. For example, partners’ relative weight status (e.g., whether or not one partner has a higher body mass index [BMI] than the other) can predict arguing, conflict, and relationship dissatisfaction (Burke et al, 2012; Meltzer et al, 2011). Going the other direction, relationship dissatisfaction and marital discord can predict unhealthy behaviors, such as emotional eating, which can ultimately contribute to weight gain (Markey, Markey, & Birch, 2001).…”

“…We base these predictions on a growing body of literature that suggests that mixed-weight couples in which the woman is heavier than the man may experience emotional difficulties related to weight, but that this is not true when the man is the heavier partner. As an example, couples in which the women were heavier than their male partners reported more habitual conflict and daily arguing than couples of other joint weight statuses (Burke et al, 2012). In addition, newly married husbands and wives were both less satisfied to the extent that the wives had higher body mass indices (BMIs) than the husbands (Meltzer et al, 2011).…”

“We” Overeat, But “I” Can Stay Thin: Pronoun Use and Body Weight in Couples Who Eat to Regulate Emotion

“…Four and eight-tenths percent of the sample were underweight, 47.6% were normal weight, 26.2% overweight, and 21.4% were obese. PROCEDURE Data used in this study was collected as part of a larger project investigating relationships, eating, and emotions (Burke, Randall, Corkery, Young, & Butler, 2012;. Couples who responded to the online ad were mailed an informed consent form and a packet with baseline questionnaires, including a demographic questionnaire and the ERE measure.…”

Perceived and actual weight stigma among romantic couples

“…As a result, people may be less supportive of mixed-weight relationships, at best, or active in their dissolution, at worst. Future research that addresses the factors that contribute to relationship conflict (Burke et al, 2012), commitment, and dissolution may shed more light on stigma of weight within relationships.…”