Alleviate marital conflict with the help of good friends
Every relationship goes through up and downs and every couple has conflict of some kind or the other. This takes a toll on their psychological and physiological health and can affect their ability to resolve any conflict. But what can help couples alleviate their stress caused by everyday conflict between partners?
A new study from The University of Texas at Austin reveals that the availability of social connections provides the protection against health problems brought on by ordinary tensions between couples.
Couples who reported even a few close friends or family members to talk to outside of their marriage experienced lower levels of stress when they encountered marital conflict.
The research examined 105 newly wed couples who kept a daily diary of marital conflict occurrences in their Home environment and also completed a questionnaire on the number, quality and characteristics of their connections with friends and family.
Additionally, the couple also collected saliva samples in the morning and evening for cortisol testing every day for six days. Cortisol levels are tested to measure the amount of stress response.
The quantity of friends and family that couples had did not seem to affect their ability to handle conflict as much as the quality of the relationships that they had with their friends and family.
Couples who reported even a few close friends or family members to talk to outside of their marriage experienced lower levels of stress when they encountered marital conflict.
The researchers found that, when people were happy and satisfied with their existing network of friends and family that they could turn to in times of stress and conflict, their cortisol responses completely disappeared.
Having a few good friends and family around you acts as a buffer and helps you work your way through any conflict you may be facing in your relationship. When you know you have someone to connect with in times of marital conflict, you are bound to experience less stress while protecting your health and perhaps helping you resolve your conflict in a positive way.
Source: Social Psychological and Personality Science
