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The role of mindfulness in romantic relationship satisfaction and responses to relationship stress
Author(s) -
Barnes Sean,
Brown Kirk Warren,
Krusemark Elizabeth,
Campbell W. Keith,
Rogge Ronald D.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of marital and family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.868
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1752-0606
pISSN - 0194-472X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-0606.2007.00033.x
Subject(s) - mindfulness , psychology , romance , trait , perception , stress (linguistics) , clinical psychology , life satisfaction , social psychology , developmental psychology , psychotherapist , linguistics , philosophy , neuroscience , computer science , psychoanalysis , programming language
Two studies examined the role of mindfulness in romantic relationship satisfaction and in responses to relationship stress. Using a longitudinal design, Study 1 found that higher trait mindfulness predicted higher relationship satisfaction and greater capacities to respond constructively to relationship stress. Study 2 replicated and extended these findings. Mindfulness was again shown to relate to relationship satisfaction; then, using a conflict discussion paradigm, trait mindfulness was found to predict lower emotional stress responses and positive pre‐ and postconflict change in perception of the relationship. State mindfulness was related to better communication quality during the discussion. Both studies indicated that mindfulness may play an influential role in romantic relationship well‐being. Discussion highlights future research directions for this new area of inquiry.