Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2009):

Stress and reactivity to daily relationship experiences: How stress hinders adaptive processes in marriage.

Full Abstract

Maintaining a relationship requires that intimates successfully navigate the ups and downs of their daily experiences with their partners. Intimates whose daily global satisfaction is heavily dependent on these experiences exhibit worse relationship outcomes than do intimates whose satisfaction is less sensitive to fluctuating daily experiences. The current studies examined how intimates' reactivity to daily experiences within the relationship is affected by their experiences of stress outside the relationship. Using diary data, Study 1 examined the covariance between spouses' daily global and specific relationship evaluations in 146 newlywed couples. Between-subjects analyses revealed that daily global satisfaction covaried with perceptions of specific relationship experiences more strongly in spouses experiencing more stress. Study 2 examined the within-person association between reactivity and stress using 7-day diaries collected at 3 time points over 4 years in a sample of 82 couples. Intimates' reactivity to daily relationship experiences was stronger when they were experiencing greater than normal stress. All findings held when controlling for the influence of various individual difference factors on reactivity. These findings highlight ways that adaptive relationship functioning may be constrained by external stress. (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved).

Author information

Author/s: Neff, Lisa A (LA); Karney, Benjamin R (BR);

Affiliation: Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA. lneff(-atsign-)mail.utexas.edu

Grants: MH59712 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of personality and social psychology (J Pers Soc Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 97 (issue 3) : pp 435-50

Dates: Created 2009/08/18; Completed 2009/09/25;

PMID: 19686000, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 9/25/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adaptation, Psychological Adult Family Conflict - psychology Female Humans Individuality Life Change Events

Male Object Attachment Personal Satisfaction Questionnaires Self Concept Temperament Young Adult

Related articles

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

• [Transactional model of suicidal behavior in the elderly] 30 Jan 2008
• The marital context of depression: research, limitations, and new directions. 27 Apr 2007
• Effects of parental divorce on marital commitment and confidence. 29 Sep 2008
• A qualitative exploration of relationship and attachment themes in families with an eating disorder. 30 Mar 2008
• Young adult romantic relationships: the role of parents' marital problems and relationship efficacy. 15 Jun 2008
• [Body experience and motion in a biographical context: about the necessity of a body- and motion-related biographical view in gerontology] 11 May 2008
• Family environments, adrenarche, and sexual maturation: a longitudinal test of a life history model. 30 Oct 2007
• Family, peer and individual factors related to methylenedioxymethamphetamine use in Taiwanese adolescents. 29 Sep 2007
• Overperception of spousal criticism in dysphoria and marital discord. 18 Apr 2008
• Change in relationship quality for partners from lesbian, gay male, and heterosexual couples. 29 Sep 2008

See 100+ related articles.

Related Article Map

Legend: - FREE Full text Article. - Abstract only. - Title only. More help.

See a large map of 100+ related articles.